In this experiment, you can study the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and velocity. Time and the position of the mass is recorded automatically. Here are 3 questions to think about as you perform this experiment.
Scientists like to use equations to predict the outcome of events.
That way, rather than running an experiment under new conditions, say with a different kinetic energy, they can enter the value for the kinetic energy into a formula and predict the velocity. You see the equation for kinetic energy above. Sir Isaac Newton, who died in 1727, quantified concepts like this. In fusion research, equations in the form of computer models predict how different conditions within the tokamak will affect energy production and containment.