7.01 Kinetic and Potential Energy

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task

Introduction

What do you think of when you hear the term "energy"? Do you maybe associate it with how you feel? We often times use the term energy to describe how we or others are feeling. When kids eat a large amount of sugar or candy, we often refer to them as having a lot of energy! However, when we are feeling sluggish we may comment that we are "low on energy".

But what really is energy? Energy is the ability to do work and cause change, and it's something we encounter on a daily basis!

One of the things you can do every morning to give you energy for the day is to eat breakfast. Our bodies need food to provide energy for daily functioning.

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to... Define and describe kinetic energy and potential energy. Use mathematical representations to illustrate the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and speed of an object. Enduring Understandings Energy can be transformed from one form to another. Models can be used to show the conversion of energy from one form into another form of energy. The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Physical Science standards: 11.