This lesson builds upon the previous two (Newton's Second Law and the First Law of Thermodynamics) by explaining that conservation of energy is not perfectly observed, in that energy is lost as it is transferred from kinetic to potential, and vice-versa. Likewise, momentum is not conserved during collisions, as they are neither perfectly elastic or perfectly inelastic. The discussion covers the Second Law of Thermodynamics and Efficiency, citing various examples of efficiency as energy is transferred. Students will perform an activity in which they use a ballistic pendulum to measure theoretical efficiency as kinetic energy is converted to potential energy when the ball collides with the pendulum.

Adobe Acrobat reader

Activity requires the use of laboratory apparatus, as described in the instructions

No cost

The materials found on this website were created and compiled by the Environmental Science Activity for the 21st Century (ESA21) project's authors for use by educational institutions and the general public. Copyrighted materials from sources other than the ESA21 authors are used with permission from the original creator. A good faith effort has been made to comply with U.S. copyright law. While the ESA21 authors and Kennesaw State University retain copyright to their materials, permission is given to use them freely in electronic and/or print form at educational institutions for non-profit purposes, as long as source and author are indicated. Use of these materials or edited versions of these materials for profit without the written approval of the project authors and Kennesaw state University is strictly prohibited.

This resource references 'Ballistic Pendulum'

This resource references 'The First Law of Thermodynamics (title provided or enhanced by cataloger)'

Publisher: Kennesaw State University
Environmental Science Activities for the 21st Century (ESA21)
http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/

Author: John Pratte
Arkansas State University