Grade Level: 9-12
Unit Title: Energy / Timeframe Needed for Completion: 16 days
Grading Period: 1st 9 weeks
Big Idea/Theme: Energy
Understandings:
- Understand types of energy, conservation of energy and energy transfer.
- Understand the nature of waves.
Essential Questions:
- How do you know something has energy?
- How can one form of energy change into another?
- How do humans use energy transformations for their daily lives?
- How is the world around us connected to energy?
- Explain how the understanding of waves helps use to improve our lives?
- How do machines make our lives easier?
PSc.3.1.1 Explain thermal energy and its transfer.
PSc.3.1.2 Explain the law of conservation of energy in a
mechanical system in terms of kinetic energy,
potential energy and heat.
PSc.3.1.3 Explain work in terms of the relationship among
the applied force to an object, the resulting
displacement of the object, and the energy
transferred to an object.
PSc.3.1.4Explain the relationship among work, power and
simple machines both qualitatively and
quantitatively.
PSc.3.2.1 Explain the relationships among wave frequency,
wave period, wave velocity, amplitude, and
wavelength through calculation and investigation.
PSc.3.2.2 Compare waves (mechanical, electromagnetic,
and surface) using their characteristics.
PSc.3.2.3 Classify waves as transverse or compressional
(longitudinal).
PSc.3.2.4 Illustrate the wave interactions of reflection,
refraction, diffraction, and interference.
Essential Skills/Vocabulary:
PSc.3.1.1
• Infer the ability of various materials to absorb or release
thermal energy in order to conceptually relate mass,
specific heat capacity, and temperature of materials to
the amount of heat transferred. (Calculations with
q=mCp∆T be used to aid in conceptual development
through laboratory investigation and analysis, not as
problem-solving exercises.)
• Compare thermal energy, heat, and temperature.
• Relate phasechanges to latent heat that changes the
potential energy of particles while the average kinetic
energy of particles (temperature) remains the same. (Link
to PSc.2.1.2)
• Compare conduction, convection, and radiation as
methodsof energy transfer.
PSc.3.1.2
• Exemplify the relationship between kinetic energy,
potential energy, and heat to illustrate that total energy is
conserved in mechanical systems such as a pendulum,
roller coaster, cars/balls on ramps, etc.
• Relate types of friction in a system to the transformation
ofmechanical energy to heat.
PSc.3.1.3
• Explain scenarios in which work is done, identifying the
force, displacement, and energy transfer- work requires
energy; when work is done on an object, the result is an
increase in its energy and is accompanied by a decrease in
energy somewhere else.
• Compare scenarios in which work is done and
conceptually explain the differences in magnitude of work
done using the relationship . W=Fd
PSc.3.1.4
• Infer the work and power relationship: P===F
• Determine the component simple machines present in
complex machines – categorize a wedge and screw as
variations of an inclined plane; a pulley and wheel & axle
as variations of a lever.
• Explain the relationship between work input and work
output for simple machines using the law of conservation
of energy.
• Define and determine ideal and actual mechanical
advantage: IMA= AMA=
• Define and determine efficiency of machines:
Efficiency=X 100
• Explain why no machine can be 100% efficient.
PSc.3.2.1
• Identify the basic characteristics of a longitudinal
(compressional) wave: amplitude, rarefaction, and
compression.
• Recognize the relationship between period and frequency
(focus on conceptual understanding of this inverse
relationship).
• Explain the relationship among velocity, frequency, and
wavelength and use it to solve wave problems: vw=fλ
• Exemplify wave energy as related to its amplitude and
independent of velocity, frequency or wavelength.
PSc.3.2.2
• Classify waves as one of three types: mechanical,
electromagnetic or surface waves based on their
characteristics.
• Compare different wave types based on how they are
produced, wave speed, type of material (medium)
required,and motion of particles.
PSc.3.2.3
- Compare compressional (longitudinal) and transverse waves in terms of particle motion relative to wave direction.
• Illustrate reflection and refraction of waves at
boundaries: reflection of a transverse pulse at the fixed-end
of a spring or rope; reflection of sound (SONAR) and
radio waves (RADAR); reflection of water (surface)
waves; refraction of water waves as the depth of the water
changes; sound as it changes media; refraction of light as it
passes from air into water, glass, oil etc.
• Illustrate the effects of wave interference
(superposition)–constructive and destructive
interference of surface waves,
mechanical waves (sound, pulses in springs/ropes, etc.),
light (soap bubbles/thin films, diffraction gratings).
Emphasis is on conceptual understanding – not
mathematical relationships. / Assessment/Activities:
- Energy KWL
- Work Practice problems
- Work Lab
- Quikwrite: Who is the most powerful person in the room?
- Power practice problems
- Power lab
- Work and Power Quiz
- slingshot mini-lab
- Potential Energy Practice Problems
- Kinetic Energy Practice Problems
- What happens when potential energy is converted to kinetic energy? Lab
- Thermal Energy demos
- Thermal Energy Practice problems
- Transfer of Energy Lab
- Energy mini-test (Potential /Kinetic and Transfer of Energy)
- Mechanical Advantage lab
- Mechanical advantage calculations
- Efficiency calculations
- Efficiency Lab
- Simple machines identification
- Wave identification
- Who’s Waving at You? Activity
- Slinky Lab
- Bull’s Eye Comparison: Compressional and Transverse waves
- Observing Wavelength mini-lab
- Wave Velocity Practice Problems
- Measuring Wave Properties Lab
- Create a “Concept Bookmark” assignment for Wave Properties
- Waves mini-test
- Listening to Sound through different materials mini-lab
- Doppler Effect demonstration
- Create “Magazine Ad” to explain wave properties
- Sound mini-test
- Reflection Lab
- Refraction Lab
- Observing Diffraction demo
- Over the Rainbow Electromagnetic Spectrum activity
- Electromagnetic Spectrum Virtual lab
- Create a “Box of Colors” assignment for Electromagnetic spectrum
- Electromagnetic Waves mini-test
- Energy Unit Test
Communication Skills
Conveying thought or opinions effectively
When presenting information, distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information
Explaining a concept to others
Interviewing others or being interviewed
Computer Knowledge
Using word-processing and database programs
Developing visual aides for presentations
Using a computer for communication
Learning new software programs
Employability Skills
Assuming responsibility for own learning
Persisting until job is completed
Working independently
Developing career interest/goals
Responding to criticism or questions
Information-retrieval Skills
Searching for information via the computer
Searching for print information
Searching for information using community members
Language Skills - Reading
Following written directions
Identifying cause and effect relationships
Summarizing main points after reading
Locating and choosing appropriate reference materials
Reading for personal learning
Language Skill - Writing
Using language accurately
Organizing and relating ideas when writing
Proofing and Editing
Synthesizing information from several sources
Documenting sources
Developing an outline
Writing to persuade or justify a position
Creating memos, letters, other forms of correspondence
Teamwork
Taking initiative
Working on a team
Thinking/Problem-Solving Skills
Identifying key problems or questions
Evaluating results
Developing strategies to address problems
Developing an action plan or timeline
Materials Suggestions:
- NCSCOS Support Documents
- Computer lab
- AVID Science resources
- Art paper
- Lab supplies