Energy lab · gravitational potential energy

Track energy — how low can you release it?

Car34.2 g
Hill height15 cm
Release24 cm
Resultready

Both ends of the hill are taped flat to the counter, so B and D are both 0 cm. A is the release height and C is the top of the hill.

Pick a car, stack some tape, choose a release height, and let it go.

Set up the run

Choose a car

 

Rolls of tape under the hill
6 rolls

Your attempts

Release heights tried and whether the car cleared the hill
#Release Over the hill?

No attempts yet for this setup.

 

Potential energy at A, B, C and D

 

Height and potential energy at each labelled point
PointWhere h (cm)h (m)PE (J)

 

How to use this simulation

  1. Choose a car in the Set up the run panel, then set how many rolls of tape are under the hill using the − and + buttons.
  2. Pick a release height with the slider, and use the Playback speed dropdown to slow the run down or watch it at real speed.
  3. Press Release the car and watch whether it clears the hill, then press Put it back to reset it to the release point.
  4. Check the Your attempts table to see every release height you've tried and whether it made it over — the panel also tracks your lowest successful height.
  5. Turn on Show me the worked out potential energies in the Potential energy panel to check your own calculations for points A, B, C, and D.
  6. Use Clear attempts or Copy data to reset or export your results.