Transformation of Energy
Part 1: The Flow of Energy
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Key Learning:
Energy is all around us. Energy comes in different forms
and can change from one form to another.
Unit Essential Question:
Why do things have energy?
Concept: Energy of
Concept: Energy Change
Concept: Thermal Energy
Concept: Energy from
Motion (Part 1)
(Part 1)
and Heat (Part 2)
Waves (Part 3)
Lesson Essential Questions:
Lesson Essential Questions:
Lesson Essential Questions:
Lesson Essential Questions:
1. How is mechanical energy
1.
1.
1.
How does the Law of
different from the other
Conservation of Energy
forms of energy?
impact the amount of
2. In what ways is kinetic
energy different from
gravitational potential
energy?
3. How are energy transfers
two objects?
2. How is thermal energy
our planet?
different from heat and
2. How do organisms obtain
temperature?
energy?
3. What happens when an
3. How can we trace the
flow of energy from
transformations alike and
“beginning” to “end”?
different?
force of friction between
energy that is available on
and energy
How can you change the
object gains or transfers
heat?
4. How do radiation,
4. How can energy chains
Why are waves
important?
2. How can you distinguish
between a longitudinal and
a transverse wave?
3. How are mechanical waves
different from
electromagnetic waves?
4. What is the significance
of a wave’s frequency,
conduction and convection
amplitude, and
help illustrate efficient
transfer heat from one
wavelength?
consumption of energy?
place to another?
Vocabulary:
Vocabulary:
Vocabulary:
Vocabulary:
Energy
Law of conservation of energy
Friction
Wave
Mechanical energy (ME)
Energy chain
Thermal energy
Frequency
Kinetic energy (KE)
Heat
Amplitude
Potential energy (PE)
Temperature
Wavelength
Gravitational Potential energy
Radiation
Sound Waves
(GPE)
Conduction
Mechanical wave
Energy transfer
Convection
Transverse wave
Energy transformation
Longitudinal wave
Electromagnetic wave
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Warm Ups
Directions: Each warm up must be answered to receive credit. However, it is not graded on right
or wrong, just whether your thinking is along the lines of what the question is asking.
1. While watching the demolition derby video, think about the amount of energy that is
present. What happens to the energy of the car that accelerates and then smashes into
another car? Where does the energy go? Does it just disappear? (1 point)
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2. Using the results of our last investigation, how could you increase the amount of kinetic
energy an object has? (1 point)
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3. A raindrop is formed in a cloud and falls to the ground. Describe the energy of the
raindrop from just before it falls until it hits the ground. (1 point)
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4. Use two of the vocab words you have learned in Part 1 to write a brief summary of what
you’ve learned so far. (2 points)
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Directions: Complete the following investigation. Answer all questions and parts of the
investigation to receive full credit. Remember the safety rules and how to be good
scientists. (30 Points)
INVESTIGATION #1: PASSING ENERGY ALONG
GOALS::
In this investigation, you will …
• Recognize that energy can be transferred from one object to another. When this
transfer of energy takes place, the motion of both objects involved usually
changes.
• Recognize that there are other forms of energy besides kinetic energy, and that
energy can be easily transformed from one form to another form.
• Be introduced to process whereby the kinetic energy of objects can be
transferred to the tiny particles that make up objects.
INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW::
A synopsis of this lesson is as follows…
A ball is released from the top of a ramp. It rolls down the ramp onto a horizontal surface.
The ball rolls into a partial cup, and pushes the cup a distance along the level surface that
is measured and recorded. The height of the ramp is then increased and the exercise is
repeated. You will need to take multiple measurements and calculate average values
throughout the experiment. Links are made between how far the cup is pushed, how fast
the ball was moving at the bottom of the ramp, and the release height of the ball. These
observable quantities are used to describe the transfer of energy, and how energy is
transformed from one form to another.
Question: (1 point)
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Manipulated Variable (what we change): ______________________________(1 point)
Responding Variable (what changes when we change the Manipulated Variable):
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My Hypothesis (an answer to the question we are asking):
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Data Table: (1 point each completed row)
SOLID BALL
1 block
2 blocks
3 blocks
4 blocks
5 blocks
1 block
2 blocks
3 blocks
4 blocks
5 blocks
Trial #1
Trial #2
Trial #3
Trial #4
Trial #5
Average Distance
the Cup Travels
Average Speed
(Hollow ball and solid
ball are the same)
HOLLOW BALL
Distance the Cup
Travels
***You will graph average speed, average distance the cup travels for the solid ball, and
distance the cup travels for the hollow ball (so, your graph should have three lines)
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Graph: (10 points total)
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Analysis: (5 points total)
1. How does the height of the ramp affect the speed of the ball when it reaches the
bottom of the ramp? What evidence do you have to support your claim? (2 points)
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2. Using your graph, how far would you predict the cup would slide if you raised the
height of the ramp to six blocks and used the solid ball? (1 point)
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3. At the same ramp height, which has more gravitational potential energy, the solid
ball or the hollow ball? What evidence is there to support your decision? (2 points)
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Conclusion: Write a conclusion of the investigation. Include the procedure,
whether your hypothesis was true or false (with evidence for support), and the
results of your investigation with regards to our study of energy. (3 points)
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Directions: Complete the following investigation. Answer all questions and parts of the
investigation to receive full credit. (20 points)
INVESTIGATION #2: THE ENERGY OF PENDULUMS
GOALS:

In this investigation, you will …
Use the concept of energy transformation to describe how the energy of a
pendulum changes during each swing.

Use your knowledge of kinetic and potential energy to identify the different forms
of energy of a pendulum and how each form changes in size during the swing of the
pendulum

Use the Particle Model and the concept of energy transfer to explain where the
energy of the swinging pendulum eventually goes.
INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW:
A synopsis of this lesson is as follows…
This demonstration will allow us to discuss the kinetic energy, the gravitational
potential energy, and the heat energy associated with the swinging pendulum. We should
be able to draw upon the discoveries from the previous investigation to describe the
energy transfers and transformations during this pendulum swing. During the second part
of the demonstration, the water is emptied from the bottle and the investigation is
repeated. The outcome is drastically different, and you will be asked to apply what they
have learned about the effect of mass on the kinetic and potential energies of an object
to explain.
This is a demonstration, so there will be no variables, question, or
hypothesis to complete. The questions are in order and designed to
build upon each other. Please complete them when appropriate.
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Directions: Answer the following questions in a timely manner so that you do not miss any
important information.
Take a look at the pendulum set up (the soda bottle hanging from the ceiling) in the
front of the classroom and answer the following question.
1. Why does the bottle just hang there and not move? What must happen in order for the
bottle to start swinging? (2 points)
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Now Mr. Herlihy will lift the pendulum and release it so it swings back and forth.
Answer the following questions.
2. Where does the bottle get its energy from as it is lifted towards Mr. Herlihy’s head?
What is happening to the energy of the bottle as it is lifted? Where are examples of
energy transfers and transformations during this process? (4 points)
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5. Label the picture with the types of energy the pendulum has. Be sure to include any
transfers and transformations. (3 points)
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6. Why does the pendulum slow down? i.e. Where does the pendulum’s energy go? (1 point)
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Now Mr. Herlihy will replace the full soda bottle with an empty soda bottle and
repeat the same experiment as with the full bottle. Answer the following questions.
7. What variables are different in this part of the experiment and what variables are the
same? (2 points)
Different:____________________________________________________________
Same:_______________________________________________________________
8. Why did the empty bottle act differently than the full bottle? Explain your answer in
terms of energy. (2 points)
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9. Does the empty bottle slow down faster because it feels more resistance or because it
has less energy to begin with? Explain your answer. (2 points)
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Conclusion: Write a conclusion of this investigation. Include the procedure, what results
came from the investigation, what forms of energy we talked about, and how this
investigation relates to our study of energy. (4 points)
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ENERGY CHAINS
We begin our Energy Chain investigation by reviewing some of the previous
material and seeing just how all of it fits together. We will accomplish this task
with the help of ESPN and skateboarding star Tony Hawk by watching the Sports
Figures program entitled “Boarding School”.
Directions: Complete the following questions while watching the video. Pay close
attention so you do not miss an answer!
1. What types (forms) of energy are discussed in the video? (6 points)
a.
d.
b.
e.
c.
f.
2. Compare Tony Hawk’s trips back-and-forth on the half pipe to the swinging pendulum (soda
bottle) from Investigation #2. Be sure to include what types of energy are present and if
there are energy transfers and transformations! (2 points)
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3. In one scene a bowling ball is released from the top and eventually it comes to a stop at the
bottom of the half pipe. Where did the energy go? (2 points)
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4. Look at the list of energies mentioned in the video. Which forms of energy have not been
discussed by us in this class so far? What are some examples of these new forms of
energy? (5 points)
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Directions: Complete each energy chain with the appropriate energy transfers and energy
transformations. (10 points)
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The Law of Conservation of Energy is… (1 point)
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Directions: You will be designing your own energy chain using the forms of energy we have discussed so far (KE, GPE, CPE,
Heat Energy, Sound Energy, Radiant Energy/Light Energy)
1) Using the five types of energies we have discussed (and any others you want to add in), design an energy chain that
shows something you do on a daily basis. You must have at least 10 transfers /transformations of energy
2) Make a rough draft sketch and have Mr. Herlihy check the sketch before you make your final drawing
3) Make your final drawing on a piece of white paper, color and label it, and then glue it to a piece of construction paper
Use the space below to sketch your rough draft…
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SUMMARIES
Directions: Each summary must be completed and appropriate in order to receive
maximum credit. Do not just write anything; make sure it is written using appropriate
vocab and scientific information.
1. Energy transfer is when the same energy gets passed along between objects. Energy
transformation is when one form of energy changes into another form. Give one example of
each from our Investigation #1. (2 points)
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2. What are two ways you can increase the kinetic energy of an object? How can you
increase the Gravitational Potential Energy of an object? (3 points)
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3. Summary #3 will be in the form of an assessment. Mr. Herlihy will give you directions
for you to complete the assignment.
END OF PART 1
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Notes
What two factors determine the amount of K.E. of an object?
What two factors determine the amount of G.P.E. of an object?
Type of Energy
Example
Vocabulary
Vocab Word
Definition
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