Lab # 2 – Crazy Coasters and the Exploration of Potential vs. Kinetic Energy

Problem

How does the starting height of a marble on a coaster track affect the speed it gathers to complete a successful loop?

Hypothesis   (Make a prediction)

I hypothesize that if... _________________________________________________________________________________ then... __________________________________________________________________________________________________ because... __________________________________________

Materials

Foam pipe insulation

Glass marble

Ruler

Tape

Triple beam balance

Additional Data

Loop diameter   = ___ cm 

Mass of marble = ___ grams

Results

Starting height (cm)	Successful loop  – 3 trials(Yes/No)	Additional observations about the marble's "energy"
25.0 cm	1. 2. 3.
50.0 cm	1. 2. 3.
75.0 cm	1. 2. 3.
100.0 cm	1. 2. 3.