Lesson 1: Launching an Investigation of Energy

How do we know if something has energy?

Observable changes in a rubber band car launcher system can provide evidence of energy changes (where energy comes from and where it goes) in the system. When the pulled-back rubber band is released, the launcher bar moves forward. Motion indicates an object has energy. As the moving launcher bar collides with the stationary car, the car begins moving and the launcher bar stops. Some of the motion energy of the launcher bar is transferred to the stationary car. This causes the car to begin moving as it gains energy and the launcher bar to stop moving as it has less energy after the collision. The farther the rubber band is stretched, the faster the launcher bar moves and the faster and farther the car moves after the collision.

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