G8.C2.W4

Forces, Work & Energy

MS-PS2-2 · MS-PS3-1 · How does a ramp make work easier?

Instructions

Driving Question: How are force, distance, and energy related?

1. Adjust the ramp angle and mass to set up your experiment.

2. Click Push to apply force and watch the block slide up the ramp.

3. Observe the energy bars — kinetic and potential energy change in real time.

4. Compare: steeper ramp = more force but less distance. Work stays the same!

30°
5 kg
μ = 0.10
50 N
Ramp View
Energy Bar Chart

Measurements

Position:0.0 m
Velocity:0.0 m/s
Height:0.0 m
Work Done:0.0 J
KE:0.0 J
PE:0.0 J

Key Concepts

Work: W = F × d × cos(θ) — force times distance in direction of motion
KE: ½mv² — energy of motion
PE: mgh — stored energy from height
Conservation: Total energy = KE + PE + thermal losses
Data JournalTrial 0
# Angle Mass Force Dist Work J KE J PE J
Data Journal — Record & Analyze Your Experiments
#Ramp angle in degreesObject mass in kilogramsFriction coefficient times 100Applied force in newtonsObservation
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Predict

If you double the ramp angle but keep the same force, will the block travel higher, lower, or the same height? Why?

Observe

Compare energy bars for steep vs. shallow ramps. What happens to KE vs. PE? Where does energy "go" when friction is high?

Explain

A ramp is a simple machine — it trades distance for force. How does this relate to conservation of energy? Why can't a machine give you "free" energy?