Spring has sprung! Young physicists explore the properties of springs with a simple simulator. Users control the initial position of the spring, then observe the potential, kinetic, and thermal energies in the system.

Concepts

springs, kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, motion, making observations

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

science

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Ask pupils to create a hypothesis that explains why thermal energy increases throughout the simulation, then becomes equal to the total energy in the system
• Have the class record observations of the kinetic and potential energies with the spring in different positions

Classroom Considerations

• It is helpful to discuss the energies involved in a spring's movement before beginning the activity

Pros

• The resource is easy to use and interpret
• Spring operates in a realistic manner when extended to different starting positions

Cons

• None