Speed, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy Printable | BrainPOP Educators - Free Printable

To solve this problem, we need to analyze the relationship between the skater's position on the track, their potential energy, kinetic energy, and speed. Let's break it down step by step.

Key Concepts:

1. Potential Energy (PE): This is the energy an object possesses due to its position or height. It increases as the object moves higher and decreases as it moves lower.
2. Kinetic Energy (KE): This is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It increases as the object's speed increases and decreases as the object's speed decreases.
3. Conservation of Energy: In an ideal system with no friction or air resistance, the total mechanical energy (sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant.

Analysis of Different Positions:

#### 1. High on the Track
- Potential Energy (PE): When the skater is high on the track, their height is maximum. Therefore, the potential energy is at its highest.
- Kinetic Energy (KE): At the highest point, the skater's speed is typically low (assuming they are not pushing off). Thus, the kinetic energy is at its lowest.
- Speed of Skater: The skater's speed is slow because most of the energy is in the form of potential energy.

Summary:
- Potential Energy: Increases
- Kinetic Energy: Decreases
- Speed of Skater: Low

#### 2. In the Middle of the Track
- Potential Energy (PE): As the skater moves from the top to the bottom, their height decreases. Therefore, the potential energy decreases.
- Kinetic Energy (KE): As the skater descends, their speed increases due to gravity converting potential energy into kinetic energy. Thus, the kinetic energy increases.
- Speed of Skater: The skater's speed is increasing as they move downward.

Summary:
- Potential Energy: Decreases
- Kinetic Energy: Increases
- Speed of Skater: Increasing

#### 3. At the Bottom of the Track
- Potential Energy (PE): At the bottom, the skater's height is minimum. Therefore, the potential energy is at its lowest.
- Kinetic Energy (KE): At the bottom, the skater's speed is maximum because all the potential energy has been converted into kinetic energy. Thus, the kinetic energy is at its highest.
- Speed of Skater: The skater's speed is at its peak because all the energy is now in the form of kinetic energy.

Summary:
- Potential Energy: Decreases
- Kinetic Energy: Increases
- Speed of Skater: High

Filling in the Table:

| Position of Skater | Amount of Potential Energy | Amount of Kinetic Energy | Speed of Skater |
|-----------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|-----------------|
| High on the track | Decreases | Decreases | Low |
| In the middle of the track | Decreases | Increases | Increasing |
| At the bottom of the track | Decreases | Increases | High |

Final Answer:

\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
\text{Position of Skater} & \text{Amount of Potential Energy} & \text{Amount of Kinetic Energy} & \text{Speed of Skater} \\
\hline
\text{High on the track} & \text{Decreases} & \text{Decreases} & \text{Low} \\
\hline
\text{In the middle of the track} & \text{Decreases} & \text{Increases} & \text{Increasing} \\
\hline
\text{At the bottom of the track} & \text{Decreases} & \text{Increases} & \text{High} \\
\hline
\end{array}
}
\]