TITLE: Potential & Kinetic Energy
AUTHOR: Ben Pflugrad, Caldwell S.D.A. Elementary
School; Caldwell, ID.
GRADE LEVEL: 5-6, Science
OVERVIEW: This lesson is to help students more fully
understand the relationship between Potential and Kinetic
energy. Students should already know the definitions for
work and mechanical energy.
PURPOSE: Students will observe and record the amount of
work done by the three different marbles rolling down an
inclined plane and hypothesize about the reasons for the
differences.
OBJECTIVE(s): Students will:
1. Discover that the larger the mass, and the higher an
object is raised, the more energy is stored.
2. Measure work in centimeters.
3. Compute the average distances.
4. Make predictions, record observations, and create
hypothesis.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS: 3 marbles (Different sizes &/or
weights), inclined plane, metric ruler, milk carton.
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
Exploration/Explanation:
Set up a demonstration of rolling three different sized
marbles down an inclined plane. Place the bottom section of
a milk carton at the bottom of the ramp to catch the marble
and measure the distance that it moves the carton.
Ask questions below before demonstration.
* Who can tell me the meaning of work?
* What is mechanical energy?
* Which marble has more mechanical energy? (sitting on
flat plane)
* If I put the marbles up on the inclined plane, would
they have energy? Why?
This energy is called potential energy. (PE) Energy at
the point of release, or stored energy. The energy of
a moving object is Kinetic energy. (KE) PE changes to
KE as the marble rolls down the ramp.
* Which marble do you think has the most PE?
* Ask students to predict how many centimeters each
marble will move the milk carton, and which marble
will move it the most. (write on a piece of paper)
Demonstrate one marble and record the distance the milk
carton was moved. Repeat five times and take the
average distance. Demonstrate the second and third
marbles using the same process.
Compare students predictions with outcomes.
* Which marble had the most energy? Why?
* What would happen if the smaller marble was let go at
twice the height of the larger one? Why?
(Demonstrate)
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
* What are some examples of storing and using energy in
our environment? (Teeter-toter, Wrecking ball,
Hydroelectric dam, Elevators)
* What factors affect the amount of work an object can
do? (Mass and Height)
On the paper that students wrote their predictions,
have them explain why their predictions were right or
wrong.
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org