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The Total Package: Kinetic + Potential

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Lesson Plan

The Total Package: Kinetic + Potential Lesson Plan

Students will be able to explain that mechanical energy is the sum of an object's kinetic and potential energy by constructing a simple explanation.

Understanding mechanical energy is crucial for comprehending how objects move and interact in the world around us. This lesson helps students build a foundational understanding of energy transformations.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Through direct instruction, interactive slides, and a sorting game.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Putting It All Together Slides, and Energy Sorting Game cards

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Engage & Inquire: What Makes Things Move?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "What makes a roller coaster thrilling? How does a swing work?"
    - Discuss their initial ideas, guiding them towards concepts of motion and height. Introduce the idea that there's a 'total energy package' involved.
    - Transition to introducing mechanical energy as this 'total package' of energy.

Step 2

Explore & Discover: Kinetic + Potential Review

15 minutes

  • Present the Putting It All Together Slides to review kinetic and potential energy.
    - Discuss real-world examples of kinetic and potential energy using the slides.
    - Encourage students to share their own examples.
    - Introduce the concept that mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy.

Step 3

Explain & Define: The Mechanical Energy Formula

10 minutes

  • Use the Putting It All Together Slides to formally define mechanical energy: Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy.
    - Work through a couple of simple examples together as a class, emphasizing how to identify and add KE and PE.
    - Explain the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy in simple terms (energy is transferred, not lost).

Step 4

Apply & Extend: Energy Sorting Game

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
    - Distribute the Energy Sorting Game cards to each group.
    - Instruct students to sort the cards into categories based on whether they primarily demonstrate kinetic energy, potential energy, or both (mechanical energy).
    - Circulate and provide support, asking probing questions to check for understanding.
    - Bring the class back together for a brief discussion of their sorting choices and reasoning.
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Slide Deck

The Total Package: Kinetic + Potential

How do roller coasters and swings get their thrill? What makes them move?

Welcome students and start with an engaging question to activate prior knowledge.

What is Kinetic Energy?

  • Energy of motion
  • The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.
  • The more mass an object has, the more kinetic energy it has.
  • Think: A bowling ball rolling down the lane.

Review kinetic energy. Ask students for examples.

What is Potential Energy?

  • Stored energy
  • Energy an object has due to its position or state.
  • Higher objects have more gravitational potential energy.
  • Think: A stretched rubber band or a book on a high shelf.

Review potential energy. Ask students for examples.

Mechanical Energy: The Total Package!

  • Mechanical Energy (ME) = Kinetic Energy (KE) + Potential Energy (PE)
  • It's the total energy of motion and position for an object.
  • Think: A bird flying high in the air has both KE (it's moving) and PE (it's high up).

Introduce mechanical energy as the sum. Emphasize that it's the 'total package'.

Let's Calculate! (Example 1)

A ball is at the top of a ramp, not moving.

  • Does it have Kinetic Energy? (No, it's not moving)
  • Does it have Potential Energy? (Yes, it's high up)

If its PE is 100 Joules and KE is 0 Joules, what is its Mechanical Energy?
ME = KE + PE = 0 J + 100 J = 100 Joules

Work through a simple example as a class. Guide students to identify KE and PE.

Let's Calculate! (Example 2)

A diver is halfway through a jump.

  • Does she have Kinetic Energy? (Yes, she's moving)
  • Does she have Potential Energy? (Yes, she's still above the water)

If her KE is 70 Joules and PE is 30 Joules, what is her Mechanical Energy?
ME = KE + PE = 70 J + 30 J = 100 Joules

Work through another example. This time, the object is moving but also has some height.

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

  • In an ideal system (without friction or air resistance), the total mechanical energy stays the same.
  • Energy can change forms (KE to PE, or PE to KE), but the total amount remains constant.

Briefly introduce the concept of conservation of mechanical energy.

Time to Play: Energy Sorting Game!

You will get cards with different scenarios.

Work in your groups to sort them into categories:

  • Mostly Kinetic Energy
  • Mostly Potential Energy
  • Both Kinetic and Potential Energy (Mechanical Energy)

Transition to the game. Explain that they will be sorting scenarios.

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Game

Energy Sorting Game

Objective: To categorize different scenarios based on the primary type of energy (Kinetic, Potential, or Both/Mechanical Energy) they demonstrate.

Instructions:

  1. Work in Groups: You will work in small groups of 3-4 students.
  2. Receive Cards: Your teacher will give you a set of scenario cards.
  3. Sort the Cards: Discuss each scenario with your group and decide which energy category it best fits into:
    • Mostly Kinetic Energy: The object is primarily moving.
    • Mostly Potential Energy: The object has stored energy due to its position or state.
    • Both Kinetic and Potential Energy (Mechanical Energy): The object is both moving and has stored energy due to its position/state.
  4. Justify Your Choices: Be prepared to explain why you placed each card in its chosen category.

Scenario Cards (Cut out these cards before the activity)

Card 1

A car driving down a flat road at a steady speed.



Card 2

A book resting on the highest shelf in the library.



Card 3

A child at the very top of a swing, just before they start to come down.



Card 4

A waterfall with water crashing over the edge.



Card 5

A stretched rubber band being held in place.



Card 6

A baseball flying through the air after being hit.



Card 7

A satellite orbiting the Earth.



Card 8

A person climbing stairs (halfway up).



Card 9

A compressed spring.



Card 10

A skateboarder cruising down a ramp.

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