Energy Skate Park: free physics simulation
Build a track and watch a skater trade potential energy for kinetic energy.
▶ Open the simulationFree, no sign-up. Works on phones, tablets and laptops.
The science
Without friction a skater’s total mechanical energy stays constant: height (potential energy) is traded for speed (kinetic energy) and back again. With friction some energy becomes thermal energy, so the skater can never climb back to the starting height.
mgh + ½mv² = constant (no friction)
Things to try
- Start the skater higher and watch the top speed increase.
- Turn on friction and watch thermal energy grow.
- Drag the track points to build your own ramp.
Topics covered
conservation of energy kinetic potential thermal friction track
How to use it
Open the simulation, then change the experiment live with the sliders, checkboxes and buttons in the side panel. Drag objects on screen where it makes sense, and use Pause, Step, Speed and Reset in the bottom bar to study every moment.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Energy Skate Park simulation show?
Without friction a skater’s total mechanical energy stays constant: height (potential energy) is traded for speed (kinetic energy) and back again. With friction some energy becomes thermal energy, so the skater can never climb back to the starting height.
What is the key equation?
mgh + ½mv² = constant (no friction)
Is the Energy Skate Park simulation free?
Yes. It runs free in any web browser on phones, tablets and laptops, with no sign-up or download.
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