In this lesson, students will simulate, observe, and manipulate some variables that affect the way a skateboarder moves on a track.

• Students will describe the variables that affect potential energy and kinetic energy
• Students will explore the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy
• Students will describe the total energy as the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy
• Students will explore the affect of friction on kinetic energy and potential energy

• potential energy (PE)
• kinetic energy (KE)
• total energy (TE)
• mass
• velocity friction
• gravitational force
• acceleration due to gravity

Adapted from a PhET^TM simulation, this lesson involves students simulating the motion of a skateboarder on a ramp under a number of different conditions that affect the potential and kinetic energies of the skateboarder-celestial body system.

As a result, students will:

• Describe the variables used to calculate potential energy.
• Describe the variables used to calculate kinetic energy.
• Explore conservation of energy.
• Explore how potential energy, kinetic energy, and the energy from friction account for the total energy of the skateboarder.