Learning Resource Type

Lesson Plan

Collision Course with Energy

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

4

Overview

Students will observe how potential and kinetic energy relate to the transfer of energy from one marble to another when they collide. Students will introduce different variables (mass and height) and investigate the transfer of potential and kinetic energy in a sled collision online simulation. Students will build a ramp, test it, and measure the distance their cars travel caused by the collision. Students will create a presentation to share their findings with the class.

This lesson results from the ALEX Resource Gap Project

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 4

    SC15.4.3

    Investigate to determine changes in energy resulting from increases or decreases in speed that occur when objects collide.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.4.3

    Vocabulary

    • collide
    • relative motion
    • relative speed
    • relative brightness
    • phenomenon
    • inertia
    • momentum

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Qualitative measure of energy (e.g. relative motion, relative speed, relative brightness) before the collision.
    • Mechanism of energy transfer.
    • Energy can transfer between colliding objects.
    • Energy can transfer to the surrounding air when objects collide resulting in sound and heat.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Plan and carry out an investigation to determine changes in energy that occur when objects collide.
      • Identify the evidence to address the purpose of the investigation.
      • Collect the data.
    • Use data to provide evidence that energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light, or heat and that it can be transferred from place to place.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Planning and Carrying out Investigations

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Energy and Matter

    Primary Learning Objectives

    Students will be able to: 

    1) distinguish between potential and kinetic energy as they are transferred between objects during collisions.

     2) identify patterns in data when adding variables such as mass and height to objects during an online sled collision simulation.

     3) measure the distance cars travel caused by collisions.

     4) create a presentation to share their findings.

    Procedures/Activities

    Before

    Engage:  Remind students that a moving object has kinetic energy but an object at rest has potential energy. Say, "Today we are going to explore potential and kinetic energy when two objects collide." Begin with the following demonstration: Place 2 marbles about 6 inches apart on a table.  Make sure one marble is motionless, then roll the other marble into it. Ask students, "What happened to the energy in the moving marble when it collided with the marble at rest?" (students may say it made the other marble move, etc.) Explain to the students that the energy from the moving marble was transferred into the object at rest and caused the marble to move. Ask, "But what would happen if both of these objects were moving and they collide?" Place the two marbles about 6 inches apart on the table directly in line with each other and at the same time push them into each other. (The marbles will most likely bounce off each other, change direction, and then roll to a stop.) Explain to the students that the energy in both of these moving objects was exchanged and during this collision, the exchange of energy also changed the motion of the marbles. Ask students if they observed any other forms of energy being transferred when the marbles collided (possible responses: sound energy when the marbles hit each other). Explain that when objects collide energy can be transferred into many different forms and later we will set up our own collisions to observe energy transfer.

    During

    Explore:  Project the following website on the interactive whiteboard for whole class viewing:  Gizmos Sled Wars.

    Load the Gizmos Sled Wars. This Gizmo is an interactive energy game containing a Yeti named Burt who rides a sled down a steep hill. Click the presentation mode under the snow scene to set the simulation to full screen for better viewing. Point out to the students that the simulation uses 3 different variables:  height, mass, and speed. By changing one or more of these variables, you are able to change the outcome of how many snowmen Burt destroys with his sled. Set the snowmen count to 5 by clicking inside the box next to the word snowmen and changing the default setting from 3 to 5. The height of the sled should automatically be set at 25.0 m which is the default setting. Check to make sure this is correct. If it needs to be changed, scroll over the sled until a hand appears then push the sled up the hill until the height reads 25.0 m.  Click inside the Red Sled's mass and delete the default setting of 100 kg and type 50. You can also click the show energy box at the top and this will track the precise moment the sled's energy changes from potential to kinetic energy. Push the play button and tell the students to observe what happens. How many snowmen does Burt destroy?  Notice a box will appear on the screen containing the sled's maximum speed, energy, and how many snowmen were destroyed. Make two classroom data charts (one for sled height 25.0 m and one for sled height 50.0 m) on the board to record data for this simulation (example included in materials). Include the mass, maximum sled speed, maximum sled energy, and the number of snowmen destroyed. These charts can also be copied and distributed to the students.

    Click the reset button on the simulation, set the Red sled's mass at 100 kg, push play, and record your data.

    Click the reset button on the simulation, set the Red sled's mass at 150 kg, push play, and record your data.

    This time change the height of the Red sled by scrolling over the sled until a hand appears then push the sled up the hill and stop on 50.0 m, set the Red sled's mass at 50 kg, push play and record your data.

    Repeat the simulation with a height of 50.0 m, and mass at 100 kg, and 150 kg, and record your data. 

    Explain: 

    Ask students to compare the two data charts. What patterns do they see? (The data should clearly show when the height and mass increase so does the sled's speed, energy, and the number of snowmen it destroys. To destroy more snowmen, Burt has to increase his height, mass, and speed, which will increase his kinetic energy.) Place students in groups of four and distribute one piece of cardstock to each group. Ask students to create a friendly note to Burt advising him of what they think he will need to do to destroy all 5 snowmen. The note should address how Burt will need to change the sled height and mass to accomplish his goal (increase the height to 50.0 m and the mass to 200 kg or simply stating: If I increase the height and mass, then it will increase the speed and destroy all 5 snowmen).  They may add appropriate illustrations and words of encouragement. Cards will be posted on the bulletin board for students to view.

    After

    Elaborate:  

    Tell the students, "Now you are going to set up your own collisions to observe how energy transfers from one object to another firsthand." Give each group 2 toy cars of equal size (this works best if all groups have toy cars of equal size and shape), 1 or 2 paper towel rolls to use as ramps, 20 metal washers or pennies, 3 or 4 textbooks, and tape. Print out the Collision Task Cards and cut them apart. Give one card to each group. (If there are more than four groups, you will just have additional groups performing the same task.) Each group will build the ramp on their collision task card, then test and measure the distance caused by their collision. Next, they will create a presentation on Educreations website (https://www.educreations.com/) to share their findings with the class. Their presentation must include a photo, drawing, or video of their collision (rubric included).

    Assessment Strategies

    Summative assessment for this lesson will be based on the Collision Course with Energy Presentation Directions & Rubric.

    Formative assessment for this lesson will be based on teacher observation and Burt the Yeti Friendly Note.

    Acceleration

    Students can research Motorsports Engineering via the internet to find information about how race cars are designed and built and create a presentation for the class using Google Slides.

    Intervention

    Students who need extra support should be placed in groups with teammates sensitive to the needs of that student. The teacher may need to more closely supervise teams that contain students who are struggling with the concepts of this lesson. Students may also be given additional time to complete the activities of this lesson.

    Approximate Duration

    Total Duration

    61 to 90 Minutes

    Background and Preparation

    Background/Preparation

    For the Student:  The student should be knowledgeable about potential and kinetic energy.

    For the Teacher:  The teacher should be knowledgeable about potential and kinetic energy, the transfer of energy between objects, and the relationship between height, mass, speed, and energy. The teacher should keep in mind that performing the ramp tests on a hardwood floor or tile will yield better results than flooring such as carpet. The teacher will also need to print out the Collision Task Cards found under attachments and cut them apart. During the lesson, give one card to each group. (If there are more than four groups, you will just have additional groups performing the same task.)

    It is important to note:  The Gizmos Sled Wars website contains online simulations. Without signing up for a free trial, you can only access one simulation for 5 minutes per day. You will need to be very organized during the Explain and the Explore parts of this lesson and I strongly recommend visiting the website a couple of times prior to presenting the lesson to your students so that you are familiar with the simulation and can present the lesson smoothly. Keep this in mind before beginning this lesson.

    Materials and Resources

    Materials and Resources

    Materials:

    2 marbles

    several toy cars of equal size (2 per group)

    collision task cards (These will need to be cut apart. One card per group.)

    1 or 2 paper towel rolls to use as ramps (per group)

    20 metal washers or pennies (per group)

    3 or 4 textbooks (per group)

    tape (one yard per group)

    cardstock (any color)

    teacher computer connected to the internet and/or projector for viewing online simulation

    Websites:

    Gizmos Sled Wars https://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspDetail&ResourceID=1055 

    Google Slides https://www.google.com/slides/about/ 

    Educreations https://www.educreations.com/

    To be downloaded and printed:

    Sled Wars Data Chart (example/this needs to be done on the board by the teacher)

    Collision Course with Energy Presentation Directions & Rubric

    Collision Task Cards

     

    Technology Resources Needed

    teacher computer connected to the internet and/or projector for viewing online simulation

    internet-capable student technology devices (at least one per group)

    Websites

    Gizmos Sled Wars https://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspDetail&ResourceID=1055 

    Google Slides https://www.google.com/slides/about/ 

    Educreations https://www.educreations.com/

     

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