Sequence of Electrical Energy Unit Activities

pdf file iconElectrical Sequence of Activities pdf

1. What is the flow of energy when the propeller spins?
Activity Learning Targets Introduced Representations Image of Activity
Hand-cranked generator and motor with propeller
  • The presence of electrical energy can be inferred by its transformation into another form.
  • Motion energy can be transformed into electrical energy by a generator.
  • Electrical energy can be transferred between objects through wires.
  • Electrical energy can be transformed into motion energy by a motor.
 Student drawings, Energy cubes image of a student drawing of the hand-crank generator
2. What if there’s no wind? Can we store energy?

Storing energy in a capacitor

Quick Check
  • Electrical energy can be stored in a capacitor.
 Energy cubes A photograph of a student using the hand-crank generator.
3a. Solar Panels: Where does the energy come from and where does the energy go?
Driving the propeller using a solar cell
  • Energy carried by light can be transformed into electrical energy by a solar panel.
 Student sketches, Energy cubes
3b. Solar Panels: Where does the energy come from and where does the energy go?

Driving the propeller using a solar cell

Wrap Up Probe
  • Drawings and representations help students reason about energy flow and transformation in a scenario.
 Student posters A photograph of an example electrical energy poster