Energy Conversion Apparatus (Kathryn Smith)

Author

Kathryn Smith, Hart High School, AP/Honor Chemistry Teacher

Principles

• Energy cannot be destroyed, but it can be converted from one form to another.

Standards

• HS-PS3-3: Students who demonstrate understanding can design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.

• Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter--Changes of energy and matter in a system can be secribed in terms of energy and matter flows into, out of, and within that system.

Materials needed

A device that demonstrates how mechanical energy can be converted to electrical energy.

Procedure

TURN THE CRANK!!!! To keep this type of equipment in good working order, it is wise to disassemble the moving parts once in a while and apply copious amounts of WD-40 to keep everything from rusting. Since that material is flammable, make sure to wipe the majority of it off after the repair is complete.

Explanation

Inside the crank of most handheld generators is a little spinning magnet. The larger metal piece is also magnetic. Spinning the magnet induces an electrical field that creates a current in the wire that is rapped around the magnet.

Original photo link

This particular piece of equipment also demonstrates how switches work in circuits. If the switch is not connected the electricity will not flow. Use the lightbulb to demonstrate the amount of current flowing through that part of the circuit and change which switches are open or closed.

Questions

1. Inculde at least three questons (with answers) that you can ask to assess understanding of the principles ilustrated

2. Question

3. Question

Everyday examples of the principles illustrated

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Photos

Movies

The Bell

References

Provide links to relevant websites.