Grade 4 students explore the difference between kinetic and potential energy with clear, everyday examples. This worksheet uses moving carts on ramps, balls flying through the air, and books on shelves to help children identify when energy is stored versus when energy is in motion. Through sentence corrections, fill-in-the-blank items, and short answers, students build confidence using terms like kinetic, potential, gravitational, and elastic. Perfect for NGSS 4-PS3 introduction work.
Style:
Energy: Forms and Transfer
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A cart resting at the top of a ramp has kinetic energy because it is up high.
Rewrite: A cart resting at the top of a ramp has potential energy because it is up high.
2. Fix the sentence:
A ball flying through the air has potential energy from its motion.
Rewrite: A ball flying through the air has kinetic energy from its motion.
3. Fix the sentence:
A book held high above the floor has no energy until you let it go.
Rewrite: A book held high above the floor has potential energy even before you let it go.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A cart rolling down a hill has kinetic energy because it is moving.
2. A ball sitting on a high shelf has gravitational potential energy.
3. When you stretch a rubber band, it stores potential energy in its shape.
4. A swing moving back and forth shows kinetic energy as it travels.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Explain the difference between kinetic and potential energy using a roller coaster as an example.
A roller coaster has potential energy when it is at the top of a hill because the height stores energy. As it rolls down, that potential energy changes into kinetic energy of motion. The faster it moves, the more kinetic energy it has.
2. Why does a basketball held above your head have potential energy even when it is not moving?
The basketball has potential energy because it is raised up high. Gravity is pulling on it, so the height stores energy. If you let go, that stored energy will turn into kinetic energy as the ball falls down.
Energy: Forms and Transfer
★ Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1) Fix the sentence:
A cart resting at the top of a ramp has kinetic energy because it is up high.
Rewrite: A cart resting at the top of a ramp has potential energy because it is up high.
2) Fix the sentence:
A ball flying through the air has potential energy from its motion.
Rewrite: A ball flying through the air has kinetic energy from its motion.
3) Fix the sentence:
A book held high above the floor has no energy until you let it go.
Rewrite: A book held high above the floor has potential energy even before you let it go.
★ Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1) A cart rolling down a hill has kinetic energy because it is moving.
2) A ball sitting on a high shelf has gravitational potential energy.
3) When you stretch a rubber band, it stores potential energy in its shape.
4) A swing moving back and forth shows kinetic energy as it travels.
★ Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1) Explain the difference between kinetic and potential energy using a roller coaster as an example.
A roller coaster has potential energy when it is at the top of a hill because the height stores energy. As it rolls down, that potential energy changes into kinetic energy of motion. The faster it moves, the more kinetic energy it has.
2) Why does a basketball held above your head have potential energy even when it is not moving?
The basketball has potential energy because it is raised up high. Gravity is pulling on it, so the height stores energy. If you let go, that stored energy will turn into kinetic energy as the ball falls down.
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15-20 minutes
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