Physlet Illustration: Energy In Projectile Motion

 

 

 
The blue ball (mass = 250 grams) is thrown into the air and follows a parabolic path.  How does its energy change with time? 

Hints

  1. Choose any time to pause the animation.
  2. Use the cursor to "measure" the kinetic energy on the graph.  Is the graph correct?
  3. Use the cursor to "measure" the potential energy on the graph.  Is the graph correct?
  4. What is the sum of the potential and kinetic energy at any time?

Reference

See Walker, Section 8-3

Illustration written by Chuck Niederriter