MS-PS3-1

SCUSD NGSS Curriculum Guide
 * MS-PS3-1: Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object. ** [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on descriptive relationships between kinetic energy and mass separately from kinetic energy and speed. Examples could include riding a bicycle at different speeds, rolling different sizes of rocks downhill, and getting hit by a wiffle ball versus a tennis ball.]

Science Background for the Teacher:
Kinetic energy is directly proportional to the mass of the object, and directly proportional to the SQUARE of the speed of the object (KE=1/2mv 2 ). This is different from momentum that is proportional to the mass and the speed.

Key Vocabulary:

 * kinetic energy || mass || speed || energy ||
 * squared || linear || nonlinear? ||  ||

Possible Assessments (formative and/or summative):
[Description of assessment task]

Key Student Activity:
Since energy is not directly measurable (it can only be calculated or inferred from other observations), use a simulation to allow students to "collect" data about mass vs energy and speed vs energy. Provide as much or as little scaffolding as required for your students to identify the variables, figure out the procedure, collect data, graph and analyze.

Energy Inquiry Simulation

See the teacher resources included with the simulation.

Key Teacher Demo/Activity:
[Description of teacher demo or activity. Include necessary materials, if known.]

Common Student Misconceptions:
[Descriptions of common student mistakes or misconceptions related to this topic.]

Things to Avoid/Correct:
[Descriptions of imprecise language or other mistakes related to this topic that might have to be corrected at a higher grade band.]

====Other Resources (text, video, simulations, activities, models, etc..): ====