Walk through a Hydroelectric ProjectThis virtual tour takes you through the energy transformations that occur in a hydroelectric power plant. It begins as water from a reservoir flows through a large pipe at the bottom of a dam and acts to power a giant turbine. The images clearly illustrate two types of energy transformation: 1) Gravitational potential energy transforms to mechanical energy when rushing water turns the turbine, and 2) Mechanical energy is transformed to electrical energy by the excitation of electrons within magnets in the turbine shaft.
PBS Learning Media: Energy Transfer in a TrebuchetEver wondered how energy is transferred in a trebuchet? This entertaining 4-minute video features a team of engineers who recreate a massive medieval trebuchet using only technologies available in the Middle Ages. The video explains the advantage of the off-center pivot point and the purpose of the heavy counterweight (which revolutionized catapult-like projectile warfare). It also explores transfer from potential-to-kinetic energy as the trebuchet's firing pin is released. Great real-world example of why the modeling phase is so important to engineering. The first model was wobbly and dangerous!
Smarter Every Day: The Physics of SlingshotsMechanical Engineer Destin Sandlin works with a high-speed Phantom camera to bring you great slow-motion views of slingshots in action. The photography is fantastic, but the physics explanation is where the rubber meets the road in this video. Destin uses a graph of Potential and Kinetic Energy vs. Displacement to illustrate the total energy of the slingshot system. Next, he conducts a trial to see which design gives the best performance: a straight elastic band or a tapered band with less material. The Phantom Cam lets you do video analysis to see the results. Excellent resource for blending engineering and physics.
The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation for a PendulumThis free animated tutorial features a simple pendulum attached to a pivot point by a string. As the pendulum swings, energy bar graphs of changing kinetic and potential energy are displayed alongside. This resource, part of The Physics Classroom website, is intended to help students visualize mechanical energy conservation as they investigate why the tension force does no work on the pendulum. Teachers: A moving simple pendulum is an excellent example of mechanical energy conservation because there are no external forces doing work. The sum of KE and PE will be a constant value, regardless of where the pendulum bob is located in its trajectory.
The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller CoasterThis tutorial features an animated roller coaster with two loops. Energy bar graphs show transformation of energy from potential to kinetic, beginning with the car located at the top of the first hill and continuing on its own momentum. Teachers: this animation illustrates a system in which TME (Total Mechanical Energy) remains the same during the course of the motion. BUT, remember it's an idealized system -- the roller coaster car had to somehow get up the hill, motion that involves additional external forces. To keep the tutorial simple, the author deliberately left out the forces involved in lifting the car up the incline.