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Energy

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Do I have enough energy to run the rat race? How can I measure the horsepower of my car? How much more work can I get done if I automate my shop? These questions involve the concepts of energy, work, and power. The answers to these questions help us understand why the Earth keeps spinning. It is energy that allows us to move and interact with the environment. And it is energy that is described by the Law of Conservation of Energy. So, lets explore the many ideas of energy, work, and power that we use everyday. I hope you have enough energy left to tackle this topic!
1.

Energy, work, and power are the fundamental concepts developed in this topic. The Law of Conservation of Energy dictates that energy can be converted from one form to another, but that it cannot be created nor destroyed. And that means we can never get more energy “out of” a process than we put “into” that process.
2.

The energy conversion chart is intended to cause you to "Think" of various ways that one form of energy can be converted into another form of energy. You may wish to enlist the aid of your colleagues in this course to help you complete the chart.
3.

As you explore the laboratory section on energy, finish each section (including any calculations) and ask yourself if the results make sense with respect to the Law of Conservation of Energy. If the results do not agree with the law, then review, and/or redo the experiment.
4. In the laboratory section on work, you will utilize the energy you determined in part B. Your success in determining the work done by the truck is dependent upon using the same conditions (ramp height, truck release point, and starting line for the timed distance) as you used in part B. Remember to place the mass (that is to be moved by the truck) at the timed distance starting point. Compare the work done by the truck to the amount of energy the truck originally possessed. Do your results support the Law of Conservation of Energy?

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. . .but, that is what science is all about. May the force be with you.

Topic Objective
Demonstrate understanding of the Energy topic by mastering the topic objectives, conducting an experiment, applying learning outcomes to related research, stating the relevancy of at least two topic concepts in a written topic report.

Assignment
1.  Read the topic in your textbook.   
2.  Write the Procedure Section of the topic report. The procedure section of the topic report is a summary of what is going to be done for this report. There should be one paragraph for each “part” of the investigation (laboratory). Each paragraph should discuss what is to be done and how it is to be done. 
3.  The Data section of your report.  The Data Section contains the data obtained from the laboratory investigations. The data is presented using the electronic data sheets obtained from the web site. Post any questions you have to the Discussion Board.
4.  Write the Outcomes section of the topic report. The Outcomes section of the topic report presents the specific outcomes for each part of the laboratory activities with respect to the research questions. There should be one paragraph for each “part” of the investigation (laboratory).
5.  Write the Application section of the topic report. The application section of each seminar identifies an activity or activities that involved the web.

Each application includes: 1)A picture that identifies the web site. The picture must include URL and Part of Page as ONE Picture. 2) A description the contents of the web site or activity. 3) An indication on how the web site applies to the topic. 
         
    Visit the site listed below and select a topic of your choice that pertains to Energy.
           
           

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question-archive.htm

6. The Relevancy section of your topic report: 
     a. Identifies and lists a minimum of two concepts presented in this topic. 
     b. Discusses and relates each concept to your life.
7. Write the "Summary" section of your report. The Summary section summarizes the work of the topic. This should include a broad statement of outcome of the the topic, thoughts, based upon the work of this topic including feelings about the content of the topic and how the topic relates to your life.  Also, post this section of your report to the Discussion Board.
8. Take the on-line topic quiz and include your final set of answers in your topic report. Any questions you are uncertain of the answer post to the Discussion Board.
9. Online students submit your topic report, to the Email address assigned by your instructor, before the assigned deadline.
10. Return all equipment to its original package. Make sure that the materials are neat and clean, ready for the next student. Remember part of your grade is dependent upon proper handling of the equipment.

 

"Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education." 
  John Fitzgerald Kennedy

 

Last Updated: Thursday, February 17, 2005