SMILE

(SIMPLIFIED MODULE INTENDED FOR LEARNING ENCOUNTERS)

Learner’s Packet
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Section: _____________________________Date: ________________________________

SCIENCE 9
(Q4_LP5)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS:

In your previous lessons, you learned that energy is the ability to do work and that
there are two kinds of energy: stored energy which is Potential Energy and the energy
associated with motion, which is Kinetic Energy.
Potential energy has two types – gravitational potential energy and elastic potential
energy. In this lesson we are only going to be looking at the gravitational potential energy.
Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) is described with the formula:
GPE = mgh
where:
m = mass of the object (kg)
𝑚
g = acceleration due to gravity ( 2)
𝑠
h = is the height of the object (m)

Kinetic energy (KE), on the other hand, is described by the formula:

1
𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
where:
m = mass of the object (kg)
𝑚
v = velocity of the object ( )
𝑠

Kinetic and Potential Energy are forms of Mechanical Energy. Mechanical energy is
the sum of the potential and kinetic energy in a closed system. According to the Law of
Conservation of Mechanical Energy, energy in a closed system is always conserved. This
means that the amount of energy may change, but the total sum does not.
Let us look at the following example:
The ball has the maximum Kinetic Energy of 60 Joules. Objects on the ground has 0
GPE. So, we can say that the total mechanical energy here is 60 Joules.

Figure 1: Ball Bouncing on the Floor

Total ME = KE + GPE
KE = 60 J = 60 J + 0 J
GPE = 0 J = 60 J

Illustrated by: Marian C. Galoso

The ball slows down as it goes up because work is done against its weight and as it
reaches its maximum height, it becomes stationary for a quick moment. At this moment, the
KE of the ball must be 0 and the GPE is 60 J.

Total ME = KE + GPE
KE = 0 J = 0 J + 60 J
GPE = 60 J = 60 J

Illustrated by: Marian C. Galoso

As the ball goes down towards the ground because of gravity, it gains kinetic energy
which is 60 J and its GPE turns back to 0. Therefore, the total mechanical energy is
conserved.
Let us look at this another example.
Figure 2: Changing Mechanical Energy on a Roller Coaster

Low PE
High PE High KE
Low KE

Minimum PE
Maximum KE

Illustrated by: Marian C. Galoso

A roller coaster operates on the same principle of energy transformation. Work is
done to a roller coaster car to lift it to its initial position. Once it reaches the summit, it has a
large quantity of gravitational potential energy and no kinetic energy. Its potential energy is
transformed to kinetic energy as it speeds up going down the roller coaster track. As it climbs
back up, its kinetic energy is again converted back to potential energy as it slows down. In
the absence of external forces doing work, the total mechanical energy of the car is
conserved.

LEARNING COMPETENCY WITH CODE:

Perform activities to demonstrate conservation of mechanical energy. (S9FE-IVd-40)

Specific Objectives:
1. Identify Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy in the given illustrations.
2. Trace and explain energy transformation in various activities or events.
3. Calculate the total kinetic and potential energy of an object to show that energy
is conserved.

ACTIVITIES:

ACTIVITY 1: Do I move, or do I wait?

Directions: Tell whether the following pictures show Potential Energy or Kinetic Energy.
Write PE if it shows energy waiting to be used or KE if it shows energy in motion.

1. _____________________________

2. ______________________________

3. ______________________________
4. ____________________________

5. ____________________________

1-5 Illustrated by: Marian C. Galoso

ACTIVITY 2.1: Trace My Energy

Directions: Study the following illustration of a biker climbing up and down a hill. Examine
what happens to the kinetic and potential energies of the biker.

Figure 3: Biker’s Changing Mechanical Energy climbing up and down a hill

Illustrated by: Marian C. Galoso

Guide Questions:
1. What happens to his kinetic and potential energy at locations A to B ang from B to C?
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2. What happens to his kinetic and potential energy when he reaches the peak of the hill?
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3. What can you say about the total mechanical energy of the biker at each of the three
locations?
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ACTIVITY 2.2: Fill Me Out

Directions: A 10 kg ball travels down an incline. Fill out the missing value for potential energy,
kinetic energy, and total mechanical energy.
Figure 4: Ball’s Changing Mechanical Energy as it rolls down an incline.
KE = ___ J
KE = 125 J PE = 245 J
PE = 490 J Total ME = 615 J
Total ME =___J KE = ____ J
PE = ____J
Total ME = 615 J
LOCATION A

LOCATION B

LOCATION C

Illustrated by: Marian C. Galoso

Guide Questions:
1. Describe the PE and the KE of the ball at each of the 3 locations.
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2. What happens to the Total Mechanical Energy of the ball? Why do you think this
happens?
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ACTIVITY 3: Swing Me!

Directions: Describe what happens to the KE, PE, and Total ME of a pebble by following the
steps below.
Objective: Show that energy cannot be created nor destroyed.
Materials needed:
1 small pebble or empty plastic bottle
12 inches yarn or string

Procedure:
1. Tie the yarn or string to the pebble/empty plastic bottle.
2. Tie the other end of the string to a high place where it can dangle.
3. Hold the pebble/empty plastic bottle as shown in the illustration. Place your other
hand next to the pebble.

Illustrated by: Marian C. Galoso

4. Release the pebble. Make sure you don’t apply any added force to the pebble.
Guide Questions:
1. At what point/s does the pebble have the maximum KE and the minimum PE?
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2. At what point/s does the pebble have the maximum PE?
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3. Did the pebble touch your hand after releasing it? Why or why not?
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4. In your own words describe the transformation of the PE and the KE of the pebble.
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ANSWER KEY:

to another.
KE changes, because energy cannot be created nor destroyed but can only be transformed from one place
The TME of the ball at each of the locations remains the same even though the value of the PE and the
At location C, where the ball finally stops, its KE gets converted to PE.
At location B, it gains more KE as it slides down.
At location A, it has more KE than PE because it is moving to the right.
Location C: KE: 615 J, PE= 0J, TME: 615 J
Location B: KE: 400 J, PE: 245 J, TME: 615 J
Location A: KE: 125 J, PE: 490 J, TME: 615 J

Activity 2.2: Fill Me Out

was just converted from one form to another.
The total mechanical energy of the biker remains the same at the three locations because his energy
His KE is 0 as he reaches his maximum PE at the peak of the hill.
lowers down.
B. The biker has maximum PE at location B and as he speeds down to location C, he gains KE as his PE
converted to PE.
A. The biker has KE as he climbs up the hill but slows down as he reaches the top. His KE was

Activity 2.1: Trace My Energy

PE
PE
PE
KE
PE
KE

Activity 1: Do I move, or do I wait?

reaches the maximum height it can reach it is again in its maximum PE.)
maximum height. As it is released, it gains KE, slows down, and once more gains KE as it swings right back up and as it
Answers may vary. (Possible answer: When the pebble is being held, it has the maximum PE because it is at its
exerted.
No, the pebble did not touch my hand. It is because it cannot swing any further because no external force was
The pebble has the maximum PE when it reaches the maximum height it can reach.
The pebble has the maximum KE as it swings down when it is released and when it swings back up.

ACTIVITY 3: Swing Me!

REFLECTION:

I learned that
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I enjoyed most on
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I want to learn more on
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REFERENCES FOR LEARNERS:

Magana, T. et al. ‘Science Grade 9 Q4 LAS 5: Perform Activities to Demonstrate Conservation

of Mechanical Energy’. Department of Education Region V
Micabalo, R. et al. ‘Quarter 4, Week 4 – Module 5: Conservation of Mechanical Energy’.
Department of Education – Division of Iligan City
StudiousGuy.com
teachingengineering.org
intl.siyavula.com
Analysis of Situations in Which Mechanical Energy is Conserved (physicsclassroom.com)
https://youtu.be/DgAp605kbMk

DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Author/ Writer: Marian C. Galoso
Content Editor/Team Leader: Rosylin S. Loria
Language Editor: Lisa L. Peñaflor
Layout Editor: Marian C. Galoso
Education Program Supervisor: Jade O. Alberto, EdD