Test the limits of gravity while encouraging full class participation with this thrilling lesson. Pupils investigate the meaning of work and how it is equivalent to energy. They explore the joule and apply it as a unit of work. They...

NASA's LCROSS mission is dropping a probe into a lunar crater. Groups design a system to travel down a zip line and drop a marble onto a target in the classroom. The groups then modify their designs based upon testing. 

This site defines and explains the concept of gravitational potential energy. Uses many equations and graphics to illustrate the idea. Provides an online computational practice set with immediate feedback.

This site from Georgia State University Physics Department defines and explains the concept of potential energy. Using equations and graphics to illustrate the idea, it discusses the many types of potential energy (gravitational,...

This site from Georgia State University Physics Department defines elastic potential energy and explains its origin. Provides an equation for computing elastic potential energy and an opportunity to practice solving problems with an...

Explains what is meant by potential energy and demonstrates how to use the formulas for gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and electric potential energy. Includes interactive calculators for the first two formula...

The concept of potential energy is explained along with the two forms of potential energy: elastic and gravitational. Discusses what gravitational potential energy is, explains the direct relationship between it and mass and height, and...

This is a glossary of words and definitions of terms having to do with work, energy, and energy resources.

This site is from the Physics Department at Georgia State University. The reliance upon the law of conservation of energy as an approach to problem-solving is presented and encouraged. It is modeled through a problem involving a...

Find out how gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, then finally into low-grade thermal energy.

Basic definitions and examples for the concepts of work, energy, and power. Covers kinetic and potential energy, and conservation of energy.

Read about all the different kinds of potential and kinetic energy. Includes energy formulas and examples of energy applications.