Let your class bounce to examine the concept elastic potential energy. Individuals bounce on a pogo stick in order to calculate its elastic potential energy. Groups then compare the elastic potential energy to the gravitational potential energy to find the percentage converted. Pupils must explain why 100 percent of the energy is not converted. 

Concepts

energy conservation, the law of conservation of energy, gravitational potential energy, potential energy, spring, springs, elasticity, hooke's law, technology resources

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Instructional Ideas

• Use several different varieties of pogo sticks and compare their energies

Classroom Considerations

• Pupils should be able to calculate spring constants
• Class members need to have an understanding of elastic and potential energies
• You will need a pogo stick
• The sixth installment in an eight-part series

Pros

• The worksheet provides pupils with the equations they need to do their calculations
• The activity points out what may cause errors during the experiment

Cons

• The investigation questions refer to the ideal percentage as being one; it should be 100

Common Core

HSA-CED.A.4 HSA-REI.B.3 MP4