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Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster
written by
John Roeder
This student activity is designed to probe the concept of work, both conceptually and mathematically. Using inclined planes of different slopes, learners explore gravitational potential energy in the context of roller coaster design. The exercises aim to promote understanding of the inverse relationship between force and distance and how this idea is applied in physical situations.
This activity is part of a larger set of resources by the Physics Teachers Resource Agents (PTRA), developed to elicit deeper understanding of key concepts taught in high school physics courses.
Book Title:
Teaching about Energy
Editor's Note: Why we like it: This activity is a great way to blend physics and math, as kids discover for themselves the connection between formula, graph, and motion. It's also do-able with materials most science teachers already have.
Next Generation Science StandardsMotion and Stability: Forces and Interactions (HS-PS2)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)
Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)
Definitions of Energy (PS3.A)
Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer (PS3.B)
Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Patterns (K-12)
Cause and Effect (K-12)
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity (3-12)
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)
Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations (K-12)
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking (5-12)
NGSS Nature of Science Standards (K-12)
Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations (K-12)
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking (5-12)
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)1. The Nature of Science
1B. Scientific Inquiry
2. The Nature of Mathematics
2A. Patterns and Relationships
2B. Mathematics, Science, and Technology
3. The Nature of Technology
3A. Technology and Science
4. The Physical Setting
4E. Energy Transformations
4F. Motion
9. The Mathematical World
9B. Symbolic Relationships
11. Common Themes
11A. Systems
11B. Models
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics AlignmentsHigh School — Algebra (9-12)
Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities (9-12)
High School — Functions (9-12)
Interpreting Functions (9-12)
Building Functions (9-12)
Linear, Quadratic, and Exponential Models? (9-12)
This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.
Topic: Conservation of Energy
Unit Title: Teaching About Energy This student activity is designed to explore the concept of work and gravitational potential energy through the system of a roller coaster. Includes detailed directions, elicitation questions, example data sheets, and assessments. It is part of the workshop manual on Energy, developed by the PTRA, Physics Teacher Resource Agents, and supported by the American Association of Physics Teachers. Link to Unit:
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=3375">Roeder, John. "Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster." In Teaching about Energy. 2003.</a>
AIP Format
J. Roeder, , in Teaching about Energy (2003), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=3375&DocID=69).
AJP/PRST-PER
J. Roeder, Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster, in Teaching about Energy (2003), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=3375&DocID=69>.
APA Format
Roeder, J. (2003). Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster. In Teaching about Energy. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=3375&DocID=69
Chicago Format
Roeder, John. "Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster." In Teaching about Energy. 2003. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=3375&DocID=69 (accessed 6 November 2024).
MLA Format
Roeder, John. "Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster." Teaching about Energy. 2003. 6 Nov. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=3375&DocID=69>.
BibTeX Export Format
@incollection{
Author = "John Roeder",
Title = {Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster},
BookTitle = {Teaching about Energy},
Year = {2003}
}
Refer Export Format
%A John Roeder %T Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster %B Teaching about Energy %D 2003 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=3375&DocID=69 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Book Section %A Roeder, John %D 2003 %T Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster %B Teaching about Energy %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=3375&DocID=69 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 9 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. Teaching About Energy: Designing a Roller Coaster:
Is Part Of
AAPT/PTRA Teaching About Energy
"Designing a Roller Coaster" is a student activity in "Teaching about Energy". relation by Bruce MasonKnow of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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