In the universe there is a fixed amount of energy that exists and is transformed into other forms. We will study different forms of energy and the nature of its transformation.
Energy Morphs
1.2.2. Analyze energy transfers and transformations within a system, including energy conservation.
Distinguish conditions likely to result in transfers or transformations of energy from one part of a system to another (e.g., a temperature difference may result in the flow of thermal energy from a hot area to a cold area).
TOPS Heat & TOPS Electricty
Describe what happens in terms of energy conservation to a system's total energy as energy is transferred or transformed (e.g., energy is never lost, the sum of kinetic and potential energy remains somewhat constant).
TOPS Simple Machines
Explain the relationship between the motion of particles in a substance and the transfer or transformation of thermal and electrical energy (e.g., conduction of thermal and electrical energy as particles collide or interact, convection of thermal energy as groups of particles move from one place to another, and light waves transforming into thermal energy).
TOPS Heat, TOPS Kinetic Model & TOPS Electricity
Explain how or whether a phase change, a chemical reaction, or a nuclear reaction absorbs or releases energy in a system (e.g., water vapor forming rain or snow releases energy; water molecules speed up as they absorb energy until the molecules gain enough energy to become water vapor).
1.1.4. Analyze the forms of energy in a system, subsystems, or parts of a system.
Explain the forms of energy present in a system (i.e., thermal energy, sound energy, light energy, electrical energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, chemical energy, and nuclear energy).
[Map and build Rube Goldberg machine or "Mission Possible"]
Compare the potential and/or kinetic energy of parts of systems at various locations or times (i.e., kinetic energy is an object's energy of motion; potential energy is an objects energy of position).
[Map and build Rube Goldberg machine or "Mission Possible"]
Measure and describe the thermal energy of a system, subsystem, and/or parts of a system in terms of molecular motion (temperature) and energy from a phase change (e.g., observe, measure, and record temperature changes over time while heating ice to boiling water).
[TOPS Heat & TOPS Kinetic Model]