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Transfer of Energy

Unit Plan

Transfer of Energy

Objectives

In this unit, students will discover that energy is the ability to cause change. Students will:

  • understand that energy is an abstract concept and does not have easily measurable properties like matter, but we can see its effects by switching on a light bulb or a fan.

  • identify different sources and forms of energy (e.g., light/radiant, heat/thermal, electrical, stored or potential, and kinetic energy).

  • explain the differences between kinetic and potential forms of energy.

  • describe how energy moves or is transferred from one object or place to another using examples of heat (thermal) and food (chemical) energy.

  • demonstrate a simple and parallel circuit by building and connecting an electrical circuit using batteries, wires, switches, and light bulbs.

Essential Questions

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Related Materials & Resources

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Formative Assessment

  • View

    Multiple Choice Items:


    01a.PNG

    The bulb in the circuit shown in the diagram will light because

    1. the circuit is open.

    2. the circuit is closed.

    3. there is a long circuit.

    4. there is a short circuit.

    1. What will happen to the brightness when a second bulb is added in series to this circuit?

    1. Both bulbs will get brighter.

    2. Both bulbs will get less bright.

    3. The first bulb will not be as bright.

    4. The second bulb will not be as bright.

    1. Which is true about a series circuit?

    1. There are many paths for the current flow.

    2. The bulb’s brightness does not change with more bulbs added.

    3. There is one path for the current flow.

    4. The bulbs get brighter as more are added to the circuit.

     

     

    1. The diagram shows a

    04a.PNG

    1. series circuit with two light bulbs.

    2. series circuit with one light bulb.

    3. parallel circuit with one light bulb.

    4. parallel circuit with two light bulbs.

    1. Energy exits in two forms. One is energy in motion or ____ and one is stored or ____ energy.

    1. potential, kinetic

    2. solar, radiant

    3. kinetic, potential

    4. thermal, polar

    1. Which of the following is an example of potential energy?

    1. a rock sitting on a cliff about ready to fall

    2. a ball rolling down a hill

    3. a boy skating on a skate board

    4. a swimmer swimming laps in a pool

    1. Which of the following is an example of kinetic energy?

    1. a battery

    2. a leaf falling

    3. an arrow pulled back in a bow

    4. a bullet that hasn’t been fired

    1. All our energy on Earth originates from _____ as ____.

    1. nuclear plants as electrical energy.

    2. coal as radiant energy.

    3. the Sun as radiant energy.

    4. batteries as thermal energy.

     

     

    1. What does thermal mean?

    1. earth

    2. heat

    3. metal

    4. wind

    1. What is potential energy?

    1. the energy of motion or when energy is in use

    2. the energy caused by the movement of electrons

    3. energy in an object that is stored

    4. when energy is changed from one form to another

    Multiple-Choice Answer Key:

    1. B

    2. B

    3. C

    4. D

    5. C

    6. A

    7. B

    8. C

    9. B

    10. C

    Short Answer Items:

    1. Define energy. Give an example of a type of energy.

    Question 11 Scoring Rubric:

    Points

    Description

    2
    • The student describes energy as the ability to perform work and provides an example of potential, kinetic, mechanical, or thermal energy.

    1
    • The student gives a definition or an example. One of the two is missing.

    0
    • The student does not give a definition or an example of type of energy.

    Performance Assessment:

    Use the diagram to answer questions 1 through 4 below.

     

    Some Electrical Symbols

    Description

     

    Picture

     

    Symbol

    a connecting wire

     

     

    paconnectwire.PNG

     

     

    paconnwiresymbol.PNG

    a bulb

     

     

    pabulb.PNG

     

     

    pabulbsymbol.PNG

    a switch

     

     

    paswitch.PNG

     

     

    paswitchsymbol.PNG

    a battery

     

     

    pabattery.PNG

     

     

    pabatterysymbol.PNG

    1. Explain the difference between an open and a closed circuit.

     

     

     

     

    1. Using the materials provided (wires, bulbs, switches, and batteries), create a parallel circuit.

    2. Using the materials provided, create a series circuit.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1. Draw a picture of each kind of circuit below.

    Open Circuit

     

     


     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Parallel Circuit

     

    Series Circuit

     

     


     

     

     

     

     

     

    Closed Circuit

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Performance Assessment Scoring Rubric:

    1. Explain the difference between an open and closed circuit.

    An open circuit is when the flow of electricity is not complete. For example: a switch may be open or a wire is not properly connected. A bulb will not light in an open circuit. A closed circuit is when the flow of electricity is complete. A bulb will light in a closed circuit.

    1. Create a parallel circuit.

    (The student may use symbolic or pictorial or model representations. The picture or model must show multiple lights and multiple possible paths for the electrical current to follow.)

    1. Create a series circuit.

    (The student may use symbolic or pictorial or model representations. The picture or model must show multiple lights on the same path of electrical current.)

    1. Draw a picture of each kind of circuit below.

    Open Circuit
    pakeyopencirc.PNG
    Parallel Circuit

     

    pakeyparallel.PNG
    Series Circuit

     

    pakeyseriescirc.PNG
    Closed Circuit
    pakeyclosedcirc.PNG

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Performance Assessment Scoring Rubric: Criteria

    Points

    Description

    5

    The student answers all five questions correctly.

    4

    The student answers four of the five questions correctly.

    3

    The student answers three of the five questions correctly.

    2

    The student answers two of the five questions correctly.

    1

    The student answers one of the five questions correctly.

    0

    The student answers no questions correctly.
DRAFT 05/26/2010
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