Question

Explain how the energy of a rubber ball is transformed as it rolls down a ramp. Give evidence that the energy of the ball remains the same at all points on the ramp.

Answer 1

At the top of the ramp:

The height, h, is maximum, hence the ball has a maximum potential energy

Since the ball is not moving, the speed = 0 m/s. Hence the ball has zero kinetic energy

As the rubber ball moves down the ramp:

The ball will be in motion and have a certain amount of speed

Therefore, some of the Potential Energy is transformed to Kinetic Energy. That is, the rubber ball has both Kinetic and Potential energy

The Kinetic energy increases while the Potential energy decreases

At the bottom of the ramp:

The height = 0

The Potential energy of the rubber ball will be zero

The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be transformed from one form to another. This is an evidence that the energy of the ball remains constant at all the points on the ramp.

$\text{Total Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy}$