Instructions
Read each section carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Think about how springs store and release energy, and how that energy can change form!
Part 1: Vocabulary Match-Up
Draw a line to match the term on the left with its correct definition on the right.
| 1. Kinetic Energy | A. The act of squashing or pushing something together. |
| 2. Potential Energy | B. The energy an object has because of its motion. |
| 3. Compression | C. Energy that is stored in an object that is stretched or compressed. |
| 4. Extension | D. Energy that is stored and ready to be used. |
| 5. Elastic Potential Energy | E. The act of stretching or pulling something apart. |
Part 2: Fill in the Blanks
Use the words from the word bank below to complete the sentences. Each word is used only once.
When a spring is stretched or ____________________ (1), it stores elastic ____________________ (2) energy. The more you change the spring's shape, the more energy it holds. When the spring is ____________________ (3), this stored energy is converted into ____________________ (4) energy, which is the energy of ____________________ (5).
Part 3: True or False?
Read each statement carefully. Circle 'True' if the statement is correct and 'False' if it is incorrect.
- A spring has the most kinetic energy when it is fully squashed and not moving. True / False
- Stretching a rubber band gives it elastic potential energy. True / False
- When a spring is released, it creates new energy out of nowhere. True / False
- A trampoline works because the springs convert a jumper's kinetic energy into potential energy and then back again. True / False
Part 4: Think About It!
Write your answers in complete sentences.
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Imagine you have a toy car with a spring-loaded launcher. Describe the energy changes that happen from the moment you push the spring back to the moment the car is launched.
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Besides a toy, name one real-world object that uses a spring to store and release mechanical energy. Explain what the spring does in that object.
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Answer Key
Part 1: Vocabulary Match-Up
1. → B
2. → D
3. → A
4. → E
5. → C
Part 2: Fill in the Blanks
- compressed
- potential
- released
- kinetic
- motion
Part 3: True or False?
- False. A spring has the most potential energy when fully squashed. It has kinetic energy when it is moving.
- True.
- False. Energy is not created; it is converted from potential energy to kinetic energy.
- True.
Part 4: Think About It!
(Note: Student answers may vary slightly but should contain the key ideas.)
- When you push the spring back, you are storing elastic potential energy in it. When you release the launcher, that stored potential energy is quickly converted into kinetic energy, which pushes the car forward and makes it move.
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Example Answer 1: A car's suspension system. The springs in the suspension compress (squash) when the car goes over a bump, storing potential energy. They then release that energy, pushing the car back up and making the ride smoother.
Example Answer 2: A retractable pen. When you click the button, you compress a small spring, storing potential energy. When you click it again, the spring is released, and the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which pushes the ink cartridge out.