Hooked on Science: Energy racer

See how potential energy becomes kinetic energy.

Materials

* Spool

* Straw

* Rubber band

* Washer

* Tape

* Pencil

Instructions

STEP 1: Push the rubber band through the hole in the spool.

STEP 2: Cut about an inch from the end of the straw. Place the piece of straw in one of the rubber band loops. Tape the straw to the spool.

STEP 3: Push the other rubber band loop through the washer. Push the pencil through the rubber band loop.

STEP 4: Twist the pencil 20 times. Place the energy racer on the floor, release and observe.

Explanation

As the pencil is twisted, energy is stored in the rubber band. Potential energy is stored energy. When the energy racer is released, the stored energy in the rubber band is changed from potential energy to kinetic energy and moves across the floor. Kinetic energy is energy of motion.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his websitehookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments.