Lesson 6: Solving Energy Problems

Introduction

Students review their findings from the Energy-Go-Round lab, explore the energy changes that occur in their roller coaster, and learn a method for solving quantitative problems involving energy transfer.

Learning Outcomes

• Students should understand the energy changes that occur during their roller-coaster ride
• Students should understand the basic procedure for solving quantitative problems involving energy transfer

Classroom Time Required

• 90 minutes (or two 50 minute class period)

Materials Needed

• Completed, Energy-Go-Round handouts from Lesson 4
• “Energy Conservation and Your Roller Coaster” handout
• Blog Post Summarizing the “Energy Conservation” handout

Pre-Activities

Reassign the various roles within each team, making sure each student has a different role.

Activities

• Review student’s work from the Energy-Go-Round in Lesson 4. A possible method for doing so includes having each student pair draw their energy chains and bar graph for a specific station on the board. After all the stations are represented, have each student pair explain their findings and ask the rest of the class if they agree.
• Remind students that their energy-go-round follow-up assignments are due at the beginning of lesson 7.
• Have each student team complete the “Energy Conservation and Your Roller Coaster” handout. One team member must summarize and post the team’s responses to the blog by the beginning of lesson 7.
• Review your preferred problem-solving procedure by doing one example problem. A ball rolling down/up a hill works well.
• If time remains, student teams may begin calculating hill heights for their roller coaster design.