How much Energy do YOU use?

A picture of a Kill-a-Watt. A rectangular device with a screen and 5 buttons above an outlet plug. At the top it is labeled KILL A WATT TM with a pink circle and P3 in a digital font. 4 grey buttons labeled from left to right Volt, Amp, Watt (with VA underneath the button), Hz (with PF underneath the button), and a pink button with KWH on top and Hour on the bottom.
Learning Goals

Learning Goals:

  1. Explain the difference between power and energy.
  2. Proficiently use a “Kill-a-Watt” meter to determine the power and total energy usage of everyday devices.
  3. Compare the total energy used by common household devices.
  4. Brainstorm different ways we can conserve electrical energy.
Materials List

Handouts

Classroom Supplies

  • 8 “Kill-a-Watt” meters (1 per group)

Important Links

Next Generation Science Standards

Next Generation Science Standards

MS-ESS3-3

  • Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.

MS-PS3-3 (Crosscutting Concept)

  • The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a designed or natural system. (MS-PS3-3).

Lesson 3 of 6 / Time: Two 40-45 min periods

Students will learn the difference between energy and power. They will then use this new understanding to compare the energy and power difference of light bulbs (incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and LED) using a tool called a “Kill-A-Watt” meter. Students will also perform simple calculations to find the total amount of energy used if the power usage and number of hours a device is used is known. This lesson is related to Debbie Frankel’s lesson, called “Home Energy Consumption”. This is suitable as a stand-alone lesson.

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