Science Project on “Energy in Motion”, Project Experiment Topics on Flight, Motion & Friction for Class 8, 9, 10 and 12 Students.

Energy in Motion

Materials Required:

1. A ping-pong ball
2. Masking tape
3. Empty paper towel roll
4. Measuring tape
5. Rubber bands
6. Board of measurement, 4 inches wide and 1 inch long
7. Two nails
8. A hammer
9. Paper and pencil

When a particular substance is stretched, it contains potential energy, which is the energy ready to do work. Once you let it go, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

To determine that a substance contains more potential energy when it is stretched, construct a canon with the help of a paper towel tube and use a ping-pong ball as the canon ball to measure the kinetic energy.

Take two 4-inch pieces of masking tape and stick them together. Fold them over an empty paper-towel roll. It should be placed in such a manner, so that it only covers a small portion of the paper towel. Use another bit of masking tape to stick it to the roll. The tape will act as a stopper to prevent the ball from falling through, but will allow it to stick out of the bottom a little bit.

Take another piece of masking tape and stick a ruler to the cardboard in such a manner, so that the ruler sticks by about 5 to 6 inches out   of the board.

Hammer in two nails on the board, one on each side, at the outer edges of about 3 inches, where the ruler is. The nails should stick out slightly. Now place your canon on top of the ruler and board joint between the nails and stick it to its place, with the help of some more masking tape. Place some books at the opposite end of the ruler and prop up your canon. Attach a rubber band to the two nails and stretch it around the bottom of the tube. Put in the canon ball now.

Using the scale as a measure, pull the rubber band by about a foot and let it go. The rubber band will hit against the ball and it will fly out of the tube. With the help of a measuring tape, mark out the distance at which the ball goes and falls and immediately record it.

Now put the ball back and increase the length to which you pull your rubber band. Repeat the whole process again and now measure the distance at which the ball falls. The ball should travel farther, each time you pull your rubber band further back, as then the band contains greater potential energy.

Kinetic and Potential Energy

There are two other forms of energy, namely, potential energy and kinetic energy. As a pole vaulter bends the pole, potential energy is stored in the pole because it is being bent. As soon as the pole straightens, it lifts the pole vaulter over the bar and the stored potential energy is changed into kinetic energy.

This happens with a rubber band as well, when you stretch the rubber band, potential energy gets stored in it.

On releasing the rubber band, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and the rubber band reverts to its original length.