PIRA 1M40.90 Conservation of Energy: Energy Track

Photo shows the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin.

• The demonstration consists of an energy track that can be used to investigate energy conservation as it applies to a marble rolling up and down the track. To investigate the relationship between energy and mass, one plastic and one metallic marble are included.
  

• Place one marble at a time at the desired height and release it. See how far it rolls up the other side of the track. Students will notice the higher the initial position from the ground, the further the marble rolls.


• You can also analyze energy loss due to friction. The ending height of each marble is not the same as the starting height. Furthermore, because the steel marble is heavier, it will encounter greater friction.


• Repeat the demonstration by adjusting the position of the screw in the stand to change the height of the track.
  

Last Updated 7/24 - University of Texas at Austin Physics Dept. - All Rights Reserved.