Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Good Thinking! — Fired Up About Energy

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

8

Overview

Fired Up About Energy explores common student misconceptions related to the study of energy and suggests methods for effectively representing and discussing the topic in the classroom.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 8

    SC15.8.16

    Apply the law of conservation of energy to develop arguments supporting the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object (e.g., bowling ball hitting pins, brakes being applied to a car).

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.8.16

    Vocabulary

    • Law of Conservation of Energy
    • Argument
    • Claim
    • Kinetic Energy
    • Energy Transfer
    • System

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Kinetic energy is energy that an object possesses due to its motion or movement.
    • Changes in kinetic energy may include changes in motion, temperature, or other observable features of an object.
    • When the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from that object.
    • When the kinetic energy of an object increases or decreases, the energy of other objects or the surroundings within the system increases or decreases, indicating that energy was transferred to or form the object.
    • The Law of Conservation of Energy states that in a closed system, the total energy of the system is conserved and energy is neither created nor destroyed.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Make a claim about a given explanation or model for a phenomenon, including the idea that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from that object .
    • Identify and describe the given evidence that supports the claim.
    • Evaluate the evidence and identify its strengths and weaknesses.
    • Use reasoning to connect the necessary and sufficient evidence and construct the argument.
    • Present oral or written arguments to support or refute the given explanation or model for the phenomenon.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The law of conservation of energy states that in a closed system, the total amount of energy remains constant and energy is neither created nor destroyed.
    • Energy can be converted from one form to another, but the total energy within the system remains fixed.
    • Energy can be transferred between objects in the system.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Engaging in Argument from Evidence

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Energy and Matter
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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