Run the simulation with the default mass and velocity. Note the motion of the ball, and the shape of the position vs. time graph.
Questions:
1. | From the graph of the ball's position as a function of time, sketch a graph of the ball's gravitational energy vs. time. Use the coordinate system shown on the screen. |
2. | From the graph of the ball's position vs. time, sketch a graph of the ball's velocity vs. time. |
3. | From the velocity graph, sketch the ball's kinetic energy vs. time graph. |
4. | At the start of the simulation the spring is unstretched. Sketch a graph of the potential energy stored in the spring as it is stretched and compressed. |
5. | If there are no forces acting on the ball other than the spring and the earth's gravity, sketch a graph of the sum of the ball's kinetic energy, the ball's gravitational potential energy, and the spring's potential energy. |
After making each energy graph sketch, check your prediction against the appropriate graph by clicking on the graph legend for that energy.
6. | How will the graphs change if the ball has an initial downward velocity when the simulation starts? |
7. | How will the graphs change if the ball's mass is doubled? |
After making each prediction, make the change in initial conditions and compare your prediction to the simulation.