Energy makes things happen. (Or more formally: energy is the ability to do work.) It is important to remember that energy is not “stuff.” It cannot be held in your hand or weighed.

Have you ever collided with someone or something? What happens during a collision?

The basic definition of a collision is when one object runs into another. During collisions energy is transferred from one object to another.

Do moving objects have energy? Why or why not?

Yes. For an object to be in motion, energy must be transferred to it.

Is a bat hitting a baseball an example of a collision? Why or why not?

Yes. The moving bat is colliding with the ball and transferring energy from the moving bat to the ball.

True or false: Only humans use energy.

False. People use energy to make things happen, such as lifting weight, but it's not just people that use energy. Water uses energy to turn a water wheel, wind use energy to spin wind turbines and animals use energy when running or butting heads.

Explain how energy is transferred to make the Rube Goldberg Machine work.

The weight drops the top ramp, which collides with the metal ball. The metal ball rolls down a series of ramps and collides with a rod that releases the spinning circle. The spinning circle travels down as it spins, which eventually pulls the large hanging metal ball loose. The ball drops slowly as it unwinds, turning the windmill. That eventually pulls a pin holding the ice. The ice slides down the tube and drops into the pitcher. During each collision energy is transferred between objects.

Explain how energy is transferred from a baseball bat to a baseball.

At the moment the bat touches the ball, energy from the moving bat is transferred to the ball, setting it in motion.

What evidence did you see in the video that suggests energy is transferred by a moving object?

In the video we observe a baseball flying after the bat hits it, the chain reaction of motion during the Rube Goldberg machine demonstration and Izzy flying back after Dr. Jeff’s Mom collides with him.

Does Izzy fly back further when Dr. Jeff’s mom runs faster or slower? Why?

When hit with more speed, Izzy flies back farther.

Explain how the energy transfers when the drum stick hits the gong.

The energy of motion from the swinging drum stick is transferred to the gong, which then vibrates producing sound.

Why do plexiglass sheets surround hockey rinks? How do they work to keep people from being hit by hockey pucks?

Specially designed plexiglass sheets surround hockey rinks to keep fans from being hit by a flying puck. The energy from the puck is transferred into motion as the plexiglass bends and moves. Some of the energy also becomes sound and heat.

What evidence did you see that some energy transferred during a collision is converted into heat?

Dr. Jeff demonstrates how a hole is burned through a sheet of flash paper when two metal balls collide with the paper between them. The motion energy of the balls is transferred into sound and heat.

Collisions

LESSON MATERIALS move

Generate Student Link

Collisions

Lesson PDFs Generate Student Link

What you will learn from this videoWhat you will learn

Energy is the ability to make things happen.
A moving object transfers energy when it comes in contact with another object.
Making an object faster or heavier results in more energy transfer.
In a collision, some energy is converted into sound and heat.

Discussion Questions
- Before Video
  What is energy?ANSWER
  - Energy makes things happen. (Or more formally: energy is the ability to do work.) It is important to remember that energy is not “stuff.” It cannot be held in your hand or weighed.
  Have you ever collided with someone or something? What happens during a collision?ANSWER
  - The basic definition of a collision is when one object runs into another. During collisions energy is transferred from one object to another.
  Do moving objects have energy? Why or why not?ANSWER
  - Yes. For an object to be in motion, energy must be transferred to it.
  Is a bat hitting a baseball an example of a collision? Why or why not?ANSWER
  - Yes. The moving bat is colliding with the ball and transferring energy from the moving bat to the ball.
- After Video
  True or false: Only humans use energy.ANSWER
  - False. People use energy to make things happen, such as lifting weight, but it's not just people that use energy. Water uses energy to turn a water wheel, wind use energy to spin wind turbines and animals use energy when running or butting heads.
  Explain how energy is transferred to make the Rube Goldberg Machine work.ANSWER
  - The weight drops the top ramp, which collides with the metal ball. The metal ball rolls down a series of ramps and collides with a rod that releases the spinning circle. The spinning circle travels down as it spins, which eventually pulls the large hanging metal ball loose. The ball drops slowly as it unwinds, turning the windmill. That eventually pulls a pin holding the ice. The ice slides down the tube and drops into the pitcher. During each collision energy is transferred between objects.
  Explain how energy is transferred from a baseball bat to a baseball.ANSWER
  - At the moment the bat touches the ball, energy from the moving bat is transferred to the ball, setting it in motion.
  What evidence did you see in the video that suggests energy is transferred by a moving object?ANSWER
  - In the video we observe a baseball flying after the bat hits it, the chain reaction of motion during the Rube Goldberg machine demonstration and Izzy flying back after Dr. Jeff’s Mom collides with him.
  Does Izzy fly back further when Dr. Jeff’s mom runs faster or slower? Why?ANSWER
  - When hit with more speed, Izzy flies back farther.
  Explain how the energy transfers when the drum stick hits the gong.ANSWER
  - The energy of motion from the swinging drum stick is transferred to the gong, which then vibrates producing sound.
  Why do plexiglass sheets surround hockey rinks? How do they work to keep people from being hit by hockey pucks?ANSWER
  - Specially designed plexiglass sheets surround hockey rinks to keep fans from being hit by a flying puck. The energy from the puck is transferred into motion as the plexiglass bends and moves. Some of the energy also becomes sound and heat.
  What evidence did you see that some energy transferred during a collision is converted into heat?ANSWER
  - Dr. Jeff demonstrates how a hole is burned through a sheet of flash paper when two metal balls collide with the paper between them. The motion energy of the balls is transferred into sound and heat.
Vocabulary
- Energy DEFINE
- Rube Goldberg Machine DEFINE
- Energy Transfer DEFINE
- Collision DEFINE
- Contact DEFINE
- Stationary Object DEFINE
Reading Material
DIY Activity Guide
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Teacher Guide
Assessment
Online Quiz Game Paper Quiz Exit Ticket