After a few practice drops, we chose the 'best' data that allowed us to see a graph of d , the distance between the motion sensor and the ball versus time. A graph was created in Science Workshop displaying our data. More graphs and tables were then created. An object loses kinetic energy each time it hits a non-elastic surface. Kinetic energy is dependent upon the mass of the object and the velocity the object is moving with.
Potential energy is the possible amount of energy an object has before any movement.
Potential energy is dependent upon the mass of the object, acceleration due to gravity and the height of the object. Each time the object falls it loses potential energy and each time it returns it gains potential energy. This is because potential energy is lowest when the ball hits the ground. The total energy is the sum of both the kinetic and potential energy. This is a step-like function because when the kinetic energy is at its peak, potential energy is at its valley, and vice versa.