Car crashes provide an excellent way to study kinetic energy transfer. Scholars explore energy through hands-on simulated crashes. They work together to design their own experiments and apply the knowledge gained to a situation that could save a baby's life.

Concepts

work, energy, mechanical energy, the law of conservation of energy, potential energy, kinetic energy, experimental design

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Review all equations related to potential energy, kinetic energy, and work prior to starting the lesson
• Extend the lesson by changing the weight of the car going down the hill to see how it alters the calculations

Classroom Considerations

• Relies on prior knowledge of designing an experiment and collecting qualitative data

Pros

• Uses a 5E format
• Requires only common materials
• Offers teacher notes throughout to help lesson go smoothly

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.3 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.3 RST.11-12.4