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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Portfolio - Unit 1

Left Side
1. Chapter 1 - Assessment
2. KE/PE Illustrations (If your Illustration was done on the computer, please write this on a sheet of loose leaf, with your full heading.)


Right Side
1. Scientific Summer Essay
2. Science Article #1
3. Science Article #2
4. Bonus Science Article

Monday, October 21, 2013

Interesting Energy Videos

Watch the following videos and write three sentences about each video.  Include a fact and your opinion of the clip.


Thursday, October 17, 2013

Lab # 2 – Crazy Coasters and the Exploration of Potential vs. Kinetic Energy

Introduction
The purpose of the coaster's initial ascent is to build up its potential energy. The concept of potential energy, often referred to as energy of position, is very simple: As the coaster gets higher in the air, gravity can pull it down a greater distance. You experience this phenomenon all the time: think about riding your bike or pulling your sled to the top of a big hill. The potential energy you build going up the hill can be released as kinetic energy -- the energy of motion that takes you down the hill.
  
Problem 
How does height affect the energy on an object?

Hypothesis   

 I hypothesize that the higher…..


Materials
Foam pipe insulation
Glass marble
Ruler
Tape
Triple beam balance
  
Procedure
  1. Construct your crazy coaster track using the materials provided.
  2. Measure the length of track and record your data into your Results.
  3. Lay the track on the ground and make a loop with 1/3 of the length; the loop should be ~ 26-30 cm in diameter.  Tape the loop to the side of the track to keep its shape.
  4. Take turns trying to get the marble to complete the loop successfully; a marble that does not complete the loop or jumps the track is unsuccessful.  Record your data in the table below and make any additional observations on its energy. 
  5. Using a balance, weigh the mass of the marble and enter it below.


Additional Data

Mass of marble = ___ grams
Length of track = ___ cm
Loop diameter = ___ cm

Results  

Starting height (m)
Successful loop completion by marble – 3 trials (Y/N)
Additional observations about the marble's "energy" – three sentences, one for each observation
0.25
1.
2.
3. 
1.
2.
3.
0.50
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
0.75
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.00
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.25
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.50
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.75
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
2.00
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
2.25
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.




Starting height minimum for successful loop = ____ cm
Starting height maximum for successful loop = ____ cm

Calculate the marble’s Potential Energy (P.E.), at each position, using the following equation:
Potential Energy = (mass)(gravity)(height)
P.E. = mgh
 (note: gravity ~ 10 m/s2)
  
  
Analysis
 1.       At what heights were you able to successfully complete the loop?
2. Why didn’t the marble complete the loop at lower positions?  At higher positions?
 How does height affect potential energy?
  1.  Where on the crazy coaster was the marble’s potential energy its lowest?  Its highest?  Draw a picture and label these positions.
4a. Describe the energy the marble would have at a starting height of 0.0 m. 
4b. Calculate the PE of your marble at a starting height = 0.0 m.


Conclusion

What was your problem?
 Restate your hypothesis.  Was your hypothesis right or wrong?  What facts would support this?
What was the independent variable?  What was the dependent variable?  What is 
 What did you learn in this lab?
 What did you like about this lab?
 What were some challenges you had to deal with?
 What could you do next with this problem?  What other tests could you perform?
 Write down any other additional thoughts, observations, inferences, etc.







Wednesday, October 16, 2013

*** Energy Resources Bonus Project ***

1. You are going to complete a Science Project/Demo at home.

2. Use the Scientific Method, like we use in class, as a guide for your project.
a. Title
b. Problem
c. Hypothesis
d. Materials
e. Procedure
f. Results (Make sure and graph your Results!)
g. Analysis (Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, Constants)
h. Conclusion

3. Do your project on a display board, power point, MS Word Document, or written NEATLY on loose-leaf paper.

4. Include pictures of your project and pictures of yourself working on it.

5. This is a solo project; we will work on other projects with partners in the future.

6. Things to think about: Color?  Creativity?  Proof of ownership?  Neat?  Legible?  Illustrations?  Graphs?  Spelling?  Good Language Arts skills?  Did you have fun?

I suggest using the following website.
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/index.html

Here are some additional websites to find projects:
 http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/recommender_interest_area.php?ia=Energy&d=all&p=1
http://www.education.com/science-fair/middle-school/physical-science/ 
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/
http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/
http://www.photobasement.com/41-hilarious-science-fair-experiments/
http://www.sciencefairadventure.com/
If you need any help, please come to room 501 after school. 

- Mr.C

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

What is Energy?

Energy transforms...

from www.dictionary.com:
energy  (Ä›n'É™r-jÄ“) Pronunciation Key
The capacity or power to do work, such as the capacity to movean object (of a given mass) by the application of force. Energycan exist in a variety of forms, such as electrical, mechanical,chemical, thermal, or nuclear, and can be transformed from oneform to another. It is measured by the amount of work done,usually in joules or watts.


1. What is Energy?
2. All things need energy to ____.
3. Energy can be ______.
4. Where is there an example of electrical energy in your bedroom?
5. Where is there an example of heat energy in your kitchen?
6. Energy that comes from the sun is called _____ energy.


Have fun exploring Energy Skate Park!


Chapter 2 HW

HW – C2S1; vocabulary, Physical Setting p. 44, RC, BQ, SC #1-5