Virtual Lab 1

Free Falling Body

Release a body from a height and watch potential energy convert into kinetic energy while the total mechanical energy stays constant. Press Space to play or pause and R to reset.

Controls

Mass2 kg

Height20 m

Gravity

Air resistance

Speed: Real time (1×)

Time

0.00 s

Height

20.00 m

Velocity

0.00 m/s

Distance fallen

0.00 m

Live energy

PEPotential Energy0.00 J

KEKinetic Energy0.00 J

ETotal Energy0.00 J

Total energy stays at 392.00 J.

Equations, live

v=\sqrt{2gx}=\sqrt{2\times 9.80\times 0.00}=0.00\ \mathrm{m/s}

U=mgh=2.00\times 9.80\times 20.00=0.00\ \mathrm{J}

K=\tfrac12 mv^2=\tfrac12\times 2.00\times 0.00^2=0.00\ \mathrm{J}

Energy vs height

PE falls, KE rises, and their sum stays flat — that flat purple line is conservation of energy.

Numerical readings

t (s)	h (m)	v (m/s)	PE (J)	KE (J)	E (J)
Press Play to start collecting readings.

Challenge mode — predict first

Make a prediction, then change the sliders above and check whether the simulation agrees.

If the height is doubled (mass and gravity unchanged), the speed on landing will…

If the mass is doubled, the landing speed will…

On the Moon (g = 1.62 m/s²) the body reaches the ground…

Remember: $v=\sqrt{2gh}$ and $E=mgh$ .