Spring Man Hugh Herr's sneakers put springs in a runner's stride. By storing potential energy in springs and making muscle power more effective, his sneakers could revolutionize many sports. Join Herr in field tests of his spring shoes and other inventions. When energy is used to make things move, it is transformed from one form into another. Some energy transformations are as simple as what occurs when sunlight warms a person's face and changes to heat energy.
Some energy transformations take place in complex chains.
As you saw on Frontiers, Hugh Herr's inventions attempt to maximize the use of muscle energy. THE MOVE Investigate the transformation of muscle energy to heat energy by trying these activities at four work stations. Then record your observations. Remove the rubber band, stretch it rapidly, then hold it to your upper lip while it is still stretched. Identify the energy transformations that occurred.