Units / Unit B
Energy Flow in Technological Systems
Science and TechnologyTeachableThe first and second laws (conservation and conversion) of thermodynamics have been useful in the development of modern and efficient energy conversion devices. Students investigating mechanical energy conversions and transfers in systems will recognize that while energy is conserved, useful energy diminishes with each conversion.
Focusing questions
- Which came first, science or technology, and is it possible for technological development to take place without help from pure science?
- How did efforts to improve the efficiency of heat engines result in the formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics?
- How can the analysis of moving objects help in the understanding of changes in kinetic energy, force and work?
- Why are efficiency and sustainability important considerations in designing energy conversion technologies?
Key concepts (POS)
- forms and interconversions of energy
- technological innovations of engines that led to the development of the concept of energy
- one-dimensional motion
- mechanical energy conversions and work
- design and function of technological systems and devices involving potential and kinetic energy and thermal energy conversions
- efficient use of energy, and the environmental impact of inefficient use of energy
Lessons
Lesson 1
Forms of Energy in Natural and Technological Systems
Illustrate that energy exists in many forms across natural and technological systems (B-GO1-SO1).
B-GO175 min · 10 slides
Lesson 2
Energy Transformation Technologies
Describe technologies that transform energy and produce measurable changes (B-GO1-SO2).
B-GO175 min · 8 slides
Lesson 3
Engines, Trial and Error, and the Idea of Energy
Trace engine development and how observations built the energy concept (B-GO1-SO3, B-GO1-SO4).
B-GO180 min · 8 slides
Lesson 4
Kinetic, Potential, and Chemical Energy
Evidence for energy; define KE, PE, and chemical potential energy (B-GO2-SO1–SO3).
B-GO275 min · 8 slides
Lesson 5
Scalars, Vectors, and One-Dimensional Motion
Scalars vs vectors; displacement, velocity, acceleration; constant speed (B-GO2-SO4–SO7).
B-GO275 min · 8 slides
Lesson 6
Force, Work, Gravitational PE, and the Joule
Force, work, Ep, Ek, energy change, and the joule as SI unit (B-GO2-SO8–SO12).
B-GO285 min · 9 slides
75 min · 8 slides
Lesson 8
Motion Graphs and Work from Graphs
Velocity–time and force–distance graphs (B-GO2-SO14, B-GO2-SO15).
B-GO275 min · 8 slides
Lesson 9
Thermodynamic Laws and Useful Energy
Energy transformations in devices; first and second law; useful energy (B-GO3-SO1–SO4).
B-GO375 min · 8 slides
Lesson 10
Efficiency and Alberta Energy Systems
Quantitative efficiency; Alberta fuels; stewardship (B-GO3-SO5–SO8).
B-GO375 min · 8 slides