Designing an Energy Solution

Designing an Energy Solution

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Define and differentiate between kinetic energy and potential energy.

• Explain the processes of energy transfer and energy conversion within a system.

• Describe the relationship between kinetic energy, an object's mass, and its speed.

• Apply the engineering design process to come up with an energy-harnessing solution.

Key Vocabulary

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Energy

The ability to do work or cause change in a system.

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Kinetic Energy

This is the energy an object possesses because it is in motion.

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Potential Energy

This is the stored energy an object has due to its position or state.

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Convert

To change from one form of energy into another, like mechanical to electrical energy.

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Transfer

To move energy from one object or place to another without changing its form.

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System

A group of interacting parts that function together as a whole unified entity.

Key Vocabulary

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Generator

A device that converts mechanical energy into useful electrical energy for a circuit.

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Claim

A statement that answers a question or proposes a solution to a problem.

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Evidence

Scientific data from reliable sources that is used to support a claim.

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Reasoning

The process of using evidence to explain why it logically supports your claim.

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What Is Energy?

Kinetic Energy

• Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion.

• The amount of kinetic energy depends on the object's mass and its speed.

• For example, a person running is a clear display of kinetic energy in action.

Potential Energy

• Potential energy is the energy that is stored within an object.

• This stored energy is based on the object's position or its chemical state.

• A battery contains chemical potential energy, ready to be used to power devices.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary difference between kinetic and potential energy?

• Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy.

• Kinetic energy is chemical energy, while potential energy is based on speed.

• Kinetic energy is stored in a battery, while potential energy is seen in a running person.

• Kinetic energy depends on an object's position, while potential energy depends on its mass.

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between an object's characteristics and its kinetic energy?

• The object's mass and its speed.

• The object's position and its chemical state.

• The object's chemical state and its motion.

• The object's speed and its position.

Multiple Choice

A remote-control car uses a battery to move across the floor. Based on the definitions of energy, what is happening?

• The battery's potential energy is converted into the car's kinetic energy.

• The car's kinetic energy is converted into the battery's potential energy.

• The car's motion creates chemical potential energy in the battery.

• The battery's mass and speed create kinetic energy for the car.

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Energy Transfer and Conversion

• Energy transfer moves energy, like kinetic energy from your foot to a tile.

• Energy conversion changes energy’s form, such as from kinetic to electrical energy.

• Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between energy transfer and energy conversion?

• Transfer is the movement of energy between objects, while conversion is the change of energy from one form to another.

• Transfer is the change of energy from one form to another, while conversion is the movement of energy between objects.

• Transfer creates new energy within an object, while conversion moves that energy to a different object.

• Transfer and conversion are two terms for the exact same process of energy changing forms.

Multiple Choice

How does the energy from a moving foot get used by a special floor tile that can power a battery?

• Kinetic energy is transferred from the foot to the tile, where it is converted to electrical energy.

• Potential energy is converted into kinetic energy by the foot, which is then stored in the tile.

• Electrical energy is transferred from the foot to the tile, which converts it into potential energy.

• Kinetic energy is converted into potential energy by the tile, which is then transferred to a battery.

Multiple Choice

When kinetic energy moves from a foot to a floor tile, the total amount of energy remains the same. Which statement best explains this phenomenon?

• The energy was not destroyed; it simply moved to a new object.

• The energy was lost as heat during the transfer process.

• The energy was converted into potential energy and then disappeared.

• The energy was destroyed as soon as it left the original object.

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Kinetic Energy: The Role of Mass and Speed

• The amount of kinetic energy an object has is related to its mass and speed.

• Kinetic energy and mass have a linear relationship; doubling mass doubles the energy.

• Kinetic energy and speed have a non-linear, or square, proportional relationship.

• Doubling an object's speed will quadruple its kinetic energy, a much greater effect.

Multiple Choice

Which two factors determine an object’s kinetic energy?

• Weight and volume

• Force and acceleration

• Mass and speed

• Temperature and pressure

Multiple Choice

If the mass of a moving object is doubled, while its speed remains constant, what happens to its kinetic energy?

• The kinetic energy is quartered.

• The kinetic energy is halved.

• The kinetic energy doubles.

• The kinetic energy quadruples.

Multiple Choice

How does the effect of doubling an object's speed on its kinetic energy compare to the effect of doubling its mass?

• The kinetic energy increases by a greater amount when speed is doubled.

• The kinetic energy increases by a greater amount when mass is doubled.

• Both changes result in the same increase in kinetic energy.

• Neither change affects the object's kinetic energy.

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Identifying the Problem: Criteria and Constraints

• The first step in engineering is to clearly define the problem.

• You must identify who the solution is for and their needs.

• Design criteria are the goals for a successful solution.

• Design constraints are the limitations on your design, such as cost.

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Multiple Choice

What is the first step in any engineering process?

• To clearly define the problem that needs to be solved

• To immediately start building a physical model

• To select the materials for the final product

• To calculate the final cost of the solution

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between design criteria and design constraints?

• Criteria are the limitations of the design, while constraints are the goals.

• Criteria are the goals of the design, while constraints are the limitations.

• Criteria define who the user is, while constraints define the problem.

• Criteria are related to cost, while constraints are related to success.

Multiple Choice

An engineering team is designing a new water filter. Which of the following statements describes a design constraint?

• The solution is intended to help a specific group of people.

• The solution must be built for less than a specific amount of money.

• The solution should be easy for its intended user to operate.

• The solution needs to successfully perform a specific task.

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Common Misconceptions About Energy

Misconception	Correction
Energy is 'used up' or destroyed when we use it.	Energy is converted from one form to another, never destroyed.
An object at rest has no energy.	An object at rest can have potential (stored) energy.
Doubling the speed of an object only doubles its kinetic energy.	Doubling the speed actually quadruples its kinetic energy (22 = 4).

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Summary

• Energy exists as potential (stored) energy and kinetic (motion) energy.

• Energy is conserved and can be converted, like motion into electricity.

• An object's kinetic energy is affected more by its speed than its mass.

• The engineering design process uses goals and limits to solve problems.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you in explaining how a human-powered device works using the concepts of kinetic energy, potential energy, and energy conversion?

• 1 (Not confident)

• 2 (A little confident)

• 3 (Mostly confident)

• 4 (Very confident)