Themes: Energy and Equilibrium
Overview: In this unit, students extend their study of kinematics and dynamics to uniform circular motion and to mechanical energy, work and power.
Focusing Questions: What conditions are necessary to maintain circular motion? How does an
understanding of conservation laws contribute to an understanding of the universe? How can mechanical energy be transferred and transformed?
General Outcomes: Students will:
1. explain circular motion, using Newton’s laws of motion
2. explain that work is a transfer of energy and that conservation of energy in an isolated system is a fundamental physical concept.
Key Concepts: The following concepts are developed in this unit and may also be addressed in other units or in other courses. The intended level and scope of treatment is defined by the outcomes.
• uniform circular motion
• conservation of mechanical energy
• planetary and satellite motion
• work-energy theorem
• Kepler’s laws
• isolated systems
• mechanical energy
• power
Link to NOTES from www.studyphysics.ca