Challenger Center: Garriott Science Challenge

Energy Exchange

The total amount of energy in a system is the sum of the potential energy (stored energy) and the kinetic energy (moving energy). Energy can be transferred between the different parts of the system, potential energy can be transferred into kinetic energy and kinetic energy can be transferred into potential energy. In your family car, gasoline has potential energy that is transferred into kinetic energy when the engine runs (turning the parts of the motor). The kinetic energy turning the motor is transferred into a different type of kinetic energy to turn the wheels and make the car go.

Richard Garriott will experiment with energy transfer in a closed system using a spring with attached weights. He will video tape the experiment so that accurate measurements of the energy of the system can be made.

Essential Questions

How can energy be transferred between parts of a closed system?

Can energy be transferred in space? If so, will energy transfer work the same in space? If not, what will happen?

Click here to submit your prediction!

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