7.02 Conservation of Energy

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task

Introduction

You learned about energy and two of the main types of energy (kinetic and potential) in the last lesson. However, you should also realize that while we tend to define energy by its type, such as kinetic and potential, energy has the ability to change forms.

Think of a roller coaster. You usually begin a roller coaster by being taken to a very high point. At this point, the roller coaster has a very high gravitational potential energy. Once the roller coaster begins traveling down the track, that potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy. If the roller coaster goes back up a hill, the kinetic energy changes into potential energy. The energy the roller coaster has is changed multiple times throughout the ride.

 

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to... Define law of conservation of energy. Investigate the law of conservation of energy. Examine graphical representations of kinetic and potential energy transformations. Recognize energy conversions in a system. 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, 12.