Physics

Introduction

The mechanical energy of a mass is the sum of the kinetic energy that the mass has because of

its motion, and the potential energy it has because of its location. When friction acts on a mass,

the friction takes away mechanical energy. We can imagine that the energy is still there – in the

motion of the atoms of the environment and the mass itself. But this energy is no longer readily

available to do work. We can only detect this energy by a rise in temperature. That is why the

energy friction “steals” is often called thermal energy.

In this lab you will look at a simulated motion – a ball rolling on a parabolic track. You will

investigate how much thermal energy is removed by friction as the ball rolls on the track.