Focus on the conservation of energy, specifically looking at gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy, with a lecture that involves having friends throw light objects at each other to determine which has more kinetic energy and dropping different objects to demonstrate gravitational potential energy. 

Concepts

the law of conservation of energy, gravitational potential energy, potential energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, newton's laws of motion, technology resources

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Instructional Ideas

• Have the class research kinetic and potential energy to find examples they understand

Classroom Considerations

• Look through the equations and be sure you are comfortable with what they stand for and the mathematics involved
• The duration includes time for both activities and the optional video clip
• The second installment in an 8-part series sets up the next two activities of the unit

Pros

• Provides suggestions to make the lecture more interesting to the class
• The answer key shows the mathematical work done to arrive at the answers

Cons

• Does not contain any example problems that use the formulas

Common Core

HSA-CED.A.4 HSA-REI.B.4.b MP4 MP6