Learning Goals
Learning Goals:
- Describe an object’s varying potential energy as being dependant on its height above the Earth’s surface.
- Explain the path of potential energy converted into kinetic energy as objects fall.
- List ways that the energy of falling water is used to do work.
- Describe how engineers use the potential and kinetic energy measurements of water to design reservoirs and hydroelectric power plants.
Materials List
Handouts
Classroom Supplies
- 1 or 2 plastic, gallon sized milk containers to distribute water, preferably colored with food coloring
Group Supplies (3 per group)
- Plastic drinking straw; clear is best
- Cup or glass
- Meter stick
- Pencil or pen
- Marking pens
- 12-16 Sheets newsprint or blank paper
Important Links
Next Generation Science Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
- 4-PS3-1 Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object. (Grade 4)
- MS-PS3-2 Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. (Grades 6 – 8)