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Work and Energy - Lesson Plans

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version. ​

Day 1 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce new unit; discuss Work
    Definition; examples and non-examples; equation, units, sample calculations; scalar quantity, + vs. - work; use Q#1-6 of Work Think Sheet
  2. Lab 1 - It's All Uphill
    Do and post-lab with attention given to theta; do Q#7 of Work Think Sheet
  3. If time allows: start Minds On Physics: Mission WE1 on Work
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 1, Parts a and b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE1 on Work


 

Day 2 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Work; Pair Practice: complete #8-10 of Work Think Sheet
  2. Discuss Power
    Definition; comparison to work; equation, units, sample calculations; derive P=F•v; use Power Think Sheet
  3. Lab 2 - Powerhouse Lab
    Do and post-lab
  4. If time allows: start Minds On Physics: Mission WE2 on Power
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 1, Part f
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE2 on Power


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Day 3 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Work and Power; Pair Practice: Work and Power Calculations Think Sheet
  2. Discuss KE, PE, and TME
    For KE and PE: definition, variables affecting quantity; equation, units, proportional thinking
    For TME: definition, TME = KE + PE, examples
  3. Concept Builder: Name That Energy (Master Level)
  4. Concept Builder: What's Up (and Down) with KE and PE? (Master Level)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 1, Parts c, d, and e
  2. CalcPad: Work and Energy 1 - Work and Power


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Day 4 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Review KE, PE, TME; Pair Practice: Energy Think Sheet
  2. Lab Test
    In groups of 4 students, complete the lab test and submit four lab sheets with the best copy on top (to be graded)
  3. If time allows, start CalcPad: Work and Energy 2 - KE, PE, and TME
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Work and Energy 2 - KE, PE, and TME
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE3 on KE and PE


 

Day 5 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Work-Energy Relationship; use Work-Energy Relationships Think Sheet
  2. Lab 3 - Energy on an Incline
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 2, Parts a and c
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE5 on Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces


 

Day 6 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Situations in which Wnc = 0; post-lab Lab 3; use Energy Conservation Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: Roller Coaster Model with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process; follow it up with the Concept Checker
  3. If time allows: Minds On Physics: Mission WE7 on Mechanical Energy Conservation
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. If not done in class, complete Concept Checker
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE7 on Mechanical Energy Conservation


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Day 7 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Situations in which Wnc ≠ 0; use Work-to-Energy Transformation Think Sheet
  2. Science Reasoning Center: Modeling Roller Coasters
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 2, Part b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE9 on Work-Energy Conversions


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Day 8 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Work-Energy Bar Charts; use Work-Energy Bar Charts Think Sheet
  2. Concept Builder: Words and Charts
  3. Physics Interactives: Chart That Motion
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 2, Part e
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE6 on Energy Bar Charts


 

Day 9 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss the use of work-energy equation to solve problems; individual and guided practice using Work-Energy Calculations Think Sheet (selected problems)
  2. Lab 4 - Stopping Distance
    Collect and plot data; post-lab

Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 2, Part d
  2. CalcPad: Work and Energy 3 - Energy Analysis


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Day 10 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Energy analysis examples; selected problems from Work-Energy Calculations Think Sheet
  2. Concept Builder: Energy Analysis 1 (Wizard Level only)
  3. Concept Builder: Energy Analysis 2 (Wizard Level only)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Work and Energy 4 - Energy Analysis


 

Day 11 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Energy analysis examples; selected problems from Work-Energy Calculations Think Sheet
  2. Two Things :
    Lab 5 - Energy of a Pendulum (collect data with teacher as a foursome for class set up ... ~4 minutes/lab group)
    If not collecting data, then work on calculations or complete Concept Builder: Energy Ranking Tasks
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Work and Energy 5 - Energy Analysis


 

Day 12 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Energy analysis examples; selected problems from Work-Energy Calculations Think Sheet
  2. Concept Builder: Match That Bar Chart
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Work and Energy 6 - Energy Analysis


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Day 13 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Energy analysis examples; selected problems from Work-Energy Calculations Think Sheet
  2. CalcPad: Work and Energy 7 - Energy Analysis
  3. Review for Test
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work