In their first science lab, 6th grade students explored potential and kinetic energy using ramps. They tested how changing the height of the ramp affected the energy of a marble. By setting up ramps at different inclines and releasing the marble from various heights, students observed how these changes impacted the marble's speed and energy as it traveled down the ramp. This part of the experiment showed how increasing the height of the ramp increased the marble’s potential energy and speed as it moved down the incline.
Next, students tested three objects—a ping pong ball, a marble, and a golf ball—to see how different masses affected energy when rolling down the same ramp. They compared how each object's mass influenced its kinetic energy as it moved down the ramp and noticed variations in speed.
Through these activities, students gained a clearer understanding of energy principles. They learned that increasing the ramp height increased potential energy and speed of the marble, while different masses affected how energy was transferred and distributed as the objects moved. This lab provided a strong foundation for understanding basic physical principles and scientific experimentation.