Lecture on Energy and its Transfer

Introduction

• Presenter: Miss Sisson
• Topic: Energy and its transfer, using a roller coaster as an example
• Objective: To understand energy forms and to apply the scientific method to improve an amusement park

Understanding Energy

• Definition: Energy is the ability to do work
• Examples of energy:
  • Light from a switch
  • A plant growing
  • Fireworks exploding
  • Swinging a baseball bat

Roller Coaster Example

• Lift Hill:
  • Roller coaster is pulled up by a chain
  • Potential Energy: Stored energy due to position
• Descent:
  • Coaster goes into free fall
  • Kinetic Energy: Energy in motion, due to gravity
• Brakes:
  • Friction applied to stop the coaster
  • Friction: Force between touching surfaces

Law of Conservation of Energy

• Demonstration:
  • Example with bags containing buttons, pennies, and paper clips
  • Energy changes forms but is never lost

Types of Energy

1. Potential Energy
2. Kinetic Energy
3. Electrical Energy
   • Motion, light, heat through electrical current
   • Example: Battery
4. Mechanical Energy
   • Combination of potential and kinetic energy
   • Example: Hammering a nail
5. Chemical Energy
   • Energy change through chemical reactions
   • Example: Body fuel from food
6. Gravitational Energy
   • Example: Waterfalls
7. Nuclear Energy
   • Energy in nucleus of atoms released through fission

Creating a Roller Coaster Using the Scientific Method

• Step 1: Identify a question (Design a coaster using energy properties)
• Step 2: Formulate a hypothesis (Educated guess)
• Step 3: Conduct an experiment (Build and test a design with household items)
• Step 4: Record data (Analyze coaster’s performance)
• Step 5: Analyze and report findings (Verify hypothesis, note energy forms)

Design Project

• Task: Draw your coaster, name it, and label energy points
• Goal: Understand energy conversion and transfer

Conclusion

• Encouragement: Use creativity in coaster design
• Availability of Resources: Free lesson plans online at www.wqed/sos
• Funding: Provided by Pennsylvania Department of Education