Middle School
Energy Systems
Kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, energy transfer, and design.
MS-PS3-1, MS-PS3-2, MS-PS3-3, MS-PS3-4, MS-PS3-5
2 lessons
4 quiz questions
Lesson 1: Kinetic and Potential Energy
Relate energy to motion, mass, position, and fields.
Learning goals
- Describe kinetic energy.
- Describe potential energy.
- Relate energy to speed, mass, and position.
Kinetic energy
Kinetic energy is energy of motion. It increases when an object's speed increases and when its mass increases.
Potential energy
Potential energy is stored energy due to position or arrangement. A raised object, stretched spring, or separated charges can store potential energy.
Lesson 2: Thermal Energy Transfer
Explain temperature, particle motion, and heat transfer.
Learning goals
- Connect temperature to particle motion.
- Compare conduction, convection, and radiation.
- Design to reduce or increase energy transfer.
Temperature and particles
Temperature is related to the average kinetic energy of particles. Warmer matter has faster average particle motion.
Transfer methods
Thermal energy transfers by conduction through contact, convection through moving fluids, and radiation through electromagnetic waves.