GRADE 8 TRANSFER OF ENERGY

At the conclusion of this unit you will understand that…

• The many forms of energy can be neither created nor destroyed. They can only be transferred or transformed.

.

Inquiring scientific minds will be able to answer these essential questions...

• How do simple machines make work easier?
• How is energy transferred throughout a mechanical system?
• How is heat transferred?
• How are sound and light transferred?
• How is energy transferred throughout an electrical system?
• What are the relationships between various forms of energy?
• How does the absorption of energy or the release of energy affect the behavior of matter?

Key Scientific Concepts/Vocabulary…

potential energy	kinetic energy	simple machine	friction
heat	mechanical advantage	efficiency	states of matter
latent heat	specific heat	calorie	heat capacity
thermodynamics	exothermic	endothermic	conduction
convection	radiation	sound waves	light waves
amplitude	frequency	pitch	electromagnetic spectrum
magnetism	force	work	Ohm’s Law

Young physicists will be able to….

• Invent a complex mechanical system for a task.
• Create a design blueprint.
• Build a functioning machine.
• Reflect on design flaws.
• Demonstrate the mechanical system to the community.
• Construct functioning electrical circuits.
• Precisely and accurately use measuring tools.

Clearly communicate results.