Lesson 3: What is Energy? Lesson Objectives:

Lesson 3: What is Energy?
Grade Level and Subject Areas: Middle Level (6-8) Science
Lesson Objectives:
Students will:
1. Participate in group brainstorming sessions related to defining energy
2. Learn the definition of potential and kinetic energy.
3. Practice identifying examples of potential and kinetic energy.
4. Classify energy as potential or kinetic.
Relevant National Standards:
McRel Compendium of K-12 Standards Addressed:
Science
Standard 9: Understands the sources and properties of energy
Language Arts
Listening and Speaking
Standard 8: Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes
Working with Others
Standard 4: Displays effective interpersonal communication skills
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Lesson 3: What is Energy?
Estimated Time:
60 minutes
Materials Needed:
• Computer with internet access
• Classifying Energy worksheet (one per student)
• Rubber band, ball, yo-yo
Procedures:
1. Begin class with a group brainstorming prompt. On the board or overhead, write the words “Energy is….”
and spend 2-3 minutes as a class brainstorming ideas to complete the prompt. Record responses to get students thinking about energy.
2. Direct the class to the Virtual RoadShow on What Will Fuel the Future website at WhatWillFuelTheFuture.
com/EnergyFun and access the “What is Energy?” exhibit. As a group, complete the activities in this section as a review of what is already known about energy.
3. Expand students’ knowledge of energy by further defining the types of energy. On the board or overhead,
create a 2-column chart similar to the one below.
Potential Energy is (put definition here)
Kinetic Energy is (put definition here)
Call for volunteers to attempt to define each term. To clarify to all students, review and record the definitions
of each.
• Potential Energy is STORED energy that is WAITING to work and can take forms such as chemical,
mechanical, nuclear, gravitational and electrical. Examples would include things such as a cell phone or
car battery, a ball sitting on a table, or a rubber band.
• Kinetic Energy is energy in MOTION that is actually doing work and can take forms such as radiant,
thermal, motion and sound. Examples would include things like legs pumping bicycle pedals or a ball
being thrown across the room.
4. Demonstrate the difference between potential and kinetic energy by using a rubber band. Hold the rubber
band up and explain that when you stretch it, it has the potential to release energy, but it is not releasing
energy at that time. Continue to stretch the rubber band and then let it fly through the air across the room.
Explain that when the rubber band flies through the air, the potential energy is changed or converted to kinetic energy, in this case, the motion of the rubber band flying across the room. As similar experiment could
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What is Energy? (Continued)
be done with a ball or a yo-yo.
5. Using the chart created in Step 3, work as a class to brainstorm examples of potential and kinetic energy and
record them on the chart.
6. Distribute the Classifying Energy worksheet to students. Review the directions. Allow students to work
with a partner to complete the activity. Provide 10-15 minutes of work time.
7. Discuss the answers as a group to ensure understanding of potential and kinetic energy.
8. As homework, have students find one example of potential energy and show how it can be changed to kinetic energy. They should be prepared to share this example with classmates on the following day. Remind
students they cannot use examples that have already been discussed in class (rubber band, ball, bicycle).
Extension Activities:
1. Have students conduct experiments related to potential and kinetic energy using common household projects. Place students into groups and allow each student to demonstrate his/her experiment and explain what
it shows about potential and kinetic energy.
2. Participate in the What Will Fuel the Future Class Project at WhatWillFuelTheFuture.com/Classroom for
a chance to win a RoadShow visit to your school!
About the Author:
Lisa Prososki is an instructional design specialist who taught middle school and high school social studies, English, reading, and technology courses for twelve years. Prososki has worked with many educational materials
providers and has authored and edited numerous lesson plans and materials for various PBS programs over the
past fifteen years. In addition to instructional design projects, Prososki works as an online adjunct instructor,
develops educational and training materials for corporate clients, and has authored one book.
© 2010, CarterEnergy Corporation, WhatWillFuelTheFuture.com
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Name:
Date:
Classifying Energy
Directions: Several energy sources as listed below. Decide whether each is
representative of Potential or Kinetic energy by writing the correct word in the energy
source column. If an energy source is potential, explain what happens when it is
converted to kinetic energy. The first question has been done for you as an example.
Energy Source
Potential or
Kinetic
To convert this to kinetic energy the
user must….
wood
potential
burn the wood
wind
coal
geothermal
hydroelectric (dam on
a river)
electricity
solar
ethanol
natural gas
© 2010, CarterEnergy Corporation, WhatWillFuelTheFuture.com
Name:
Date:
Classifying Energy Teacher Key
Directions: Several energy sources as listed below. Decide whether each is
representative of Potential or Kinetic energy by writing the correct word in the energy
source column. If an energy source is potential, explain what happens when it is
converted to kinetic energy. The first question has been done for you as an example.
Energy Source
Potential or
Kinetic
To convert this to kinetic energy the
user must….
wood
potential
burn the wood
wind
kinetic
coal
potential
geothermal
Kinetic
hydroelectric (dam on
a river)
potential
release the water through the dam/open
the floodgates
electricity
potential
turn on a light switch
solar
kinetic
ethanol
potential
burn the ethanol in an engine
natural gas
potential
burned as fuel for a home heat or in a
home appliance
burn the coal
© 2010, CarterEnergy Corporation, WhatWillFuelTheFuture.com