Energy transfer and dissipation
Before you start
Release a slider on a curved track and follow gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy and internal energy together.
The setupExplain how mechanical energy changes form and where it goes when drag acts.
What to do and noticeRelease the slider and watch purple become blue · Add damping and follow energy into the ochre environment · Scrub time and check the complete energy balance
Predict firstWhy can the slider have energy before it starts moving?
Account for energy conversion and transfer in one release.
Prerequisites: Speed describes motion; energy is measured in joules. Choose a system and a reference level before assigning potential energy.Define the system
Predict firstWhy can the slider have energy before it starts moving?
Choose the slider and Earth as the system, with zero gravitational potential at the bottom. At release, K = 0 and U = mgh₀. Purple marks this system energy; it does not mean potential energy belongs to the slider alone.
How to observe
- Release the slider and watch purple become blue
- Add damping and follow energy into the ochre environment
- Scrub time and check the complete energy balance
Model notes
A point slider follows the fixed track y = h₀(x/2.8 m)², with rotational energy omitted. Gravitational potential energy belongs to the slider–Earth system and is zero at the lowest point. Tangential drag is −mγv.