Kinetic, Potential, or Both? Strand Force, Motion, and Energy Topic Investigating motion Primary SOL 4.2 The student will investigate and understand characteristics and interactions of moving objects. Key concepts include d) moving objects have kinetic energy. Related SOL 4.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning, logic, and the nature of science by planning and conducting investigations in which k) data are communicated with simple graphs, pictures, written statements, and numbers. Background Information Energy may in two states: kinetic or potential. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion while potential energy is stored energy. One example of potential energy is to envision a rounded boulder on top of a hill. This boulder has potential energy because it is on top of the hill and could roll down the hill by itself. When it begins to roll down the hill, it begins to gain kinetic energy and loses potential energy. The faster it goes the more kinetic energy it has. Materials For each group: Balloon Rubber band Wool Spring Science journals or loose leaf paper Old magazines Glue sticks Vocabulary kinetic energy, potential energy, transfer Student/Teacher Actions (what students and teachers should be to facilitate learning) Introduction Ask students if an adult has ever told them to move their glass away from the edge of a table. Discuss why adults may be so insistent on keeping glasses of liquid away from the edge of a table. If students do not associate energy with this situation, offer prompts that suggest adults know about the two types of energy. Ask students to try to figure out what the two types of energy might be. If students cannot identify the two types of energy, then the teacher may share with students that these two types of energy are all around us: kinetic and potential energy.
Kinetic, Potential, or Both? Strand Force, Motion, and Energy Topic Investigating motion Primary SOL 4.2 The student will investigate and understand characteristics and interactions of moving objects. Key concepts include d) moving objects have kinetic energy. Related SOL 4.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning, logic, and the nature of science by planning and conducting investigations in which k) data are communicated with simple graphs, pictures, written statements, and numbers. Background Information Energy may in two states: kinetic or potential. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion while potential energy is stored energy. One example of potential energy is to envision a rounded boulder on top of a hill. This boulder has potential energy because it is on top of the hill and could roll down the hill by itself. When it begins to roll down the hill, it begins to gain kinetic energy and loses potential energy. The faster it goes the more kinetic energy it has. Materials For each group: Balloon Rubber band Wool Spring Science journals or loose leaf paper Old magazines Glue sticks Vocabulary kinetic energy, potential energy, transfer Student/Teacher Actions (what students and teachers should be to facilitate learning) Introduction Ask students if an adult has ever told them to move their glass away from the edge of a table. Discuss why adults may be so insistent on keeping glasses of liquid away from the edge of a table. If students do not associate energy with this situation, offer prompts that suggest adults know about the two types of energy. Ask students to try to figure out what the two types of energy might be. If students cannot identify the two types of energy, then the teacher may share with students that these two types of energy are all around us: kinetic and potential energy.