Ignition
Understand how the concepts of energy and work are connected and identify 7 different types of energy.
Student Objectives
Ignition
- Understand how concepts of energy and work are connected
- Identify seven different forms of energy as potential or kinetic
- Illustrate how NASCAR racing utilizes Newton’s second law (F=m*a) to calculate energy
- Conduct experiments to measure energy
Materials List
1. SPARK! Education Video: Energy in Action
2. Previous SPARK lessons: KaPow, Chemistry in Action, Engineered for Air and Tight and Loose
3. View NASCAR race from Darlington, South Carolina, on May 17, 2020
4. Pencil
5. Paper
Lesson Plan and Procedures
Note: Energy is a thread of learning for students
1. Review energy basics.
2. Review the SPARK! Education energy video as well as the Darlington race footage. Identify the types of energy in the following locations associated with racing:
3. Review the SPARK! Education lessons for middle and high school listed above.
4. Select one of the lessons and conduct an experiment. You will be using the experiment to figure out the energy and work of the devices you create. You will need a scale for measurement and a tape measure.
5. Build the car(s) related to the lesson. Conduct the experiment as outlined in the lesson to ensure you have a functioning vehicle.
6. Using your vehicle, calculate one the following formulas to understand how work and energy can be measured by your vehicle.
a. Define potential energy.
Suggested resources:
https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-physical-science-flexbook-2.0/section/14.3/primary/lesson/potential-energy-ms-ps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASZv3tIK56k
b. Define kinetic energy.
Suggested resource: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/kinetic-energy-examples.html
c. What are the different types of potential energy? (list 2)
d. What are the different types of kinetic energy? (list 3)
e. Race engine:
f. Race fuel:
g. Race car in a turn (banked part of track):
h. Pit stop:
i. Garage:
Suggested online videos:
Formula abbreviations: m = mass (measure in kg); v = velocity; g = gravity; h = height; a = acceleration; w = work; d = displacement
Newton’s second law:
f = m*a
Work formula:
w = f*d
Potential energy formula:
P.E. = m*g*h
Kinetic energy formula:
K.E. = ½mv2
7. Whew! STEM for energy is important. Without the math, science, engineering and technology facets coming together, the experiment wouldn’t have been successful. Crew chiefs and engineers need to understand how energy and work will impact the race car.
8. If you want to do a fun experiment with your younger siblings, neighbors or friends, try the Energy in Action lesson and conduct a few game experiments with them.