Potential & Kinetic Energy
What is stored energy based on position?
Potential Energy
What are the five sources of renewable energy?
Solar, biomass, geothermal, wind & hydropower
What are the four sources of nonrenewable energy?
Coal, oil, natural gas & nuclear energy
What are the three types of mechanical waves?
Transverse, longitudinal & surface waves
What is the scientific method?
A series of processes which allow someone to make predictions, test, and make conclusions about a problem.
At which position does a rollercoaster have the greatest kinetic energy?
a. At the top of the hill
b. Halfway down the hill
c. Towards the bottom of the hill
d. At the top of a smaller hill
c. Towards the bottom of the hill
List 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of wind energy.
Advantages: free resource, doesn't produce green house gasses, readily available, etc.
Disadvantages: wind isn't always blowing, turbines are expensive to construct/maintain, turbines can disrupt the migratory patterns of birds, etc.
What is the best description for a nonrenewable resource?
a. A resource that can be used many times
b. A resource that is very expensive to mine compared to renewable resources
c. Solar, wind and geothermal are all examples of nonrenewable resources
d. A resource that cannot be replaced naturally or be used again
d. A resource that cannot be replaced naturally or be used again
Both transverse and longitudinal waves have areas of maximum displacement called __________ .
a. wavelengths
b. crests
c. amplitude
d. troughs
c. amplitude
Which step in the engineering design process does not come before building a prototype?
a. Defining a problem
b. Developing possible solutions
c. Communicating results with a wider audience
d. Researching existing solutions
c. Communicating results with a wider audience
Describe a situation (other than a rollercoaster) where you would see the transformation from potential to kinetic energy.
Ex. A soccer ball on a field at rest has potential energy. Once that ball is kicked by a player and starts flying threw the air it has kinetic energy.
How are wind and solar energy better than oil and coal energy?
a. They can only be found near the equator
d. They can cause more greenhouse gases than oil and coal
c. They are cheaper to produce
d. They are both free and won't run out
d. They are both free and won't run out
List 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of energy produced by oil.
Advantages: easily transported, relatively cheap, used in transportation worldwide, etc.
Disadvantages: spills can cause environmental disasters, working on rigs is dangerous due to extreme weather & explosions, etc.
View the image provided by your teacher. Which wave has more energy? Explain your reasoning.
Both waves have the same amplitude but the top wave has a higher frequency. Thus the top wave has greater energy.
Provide an example of a household item and describe the energy transformations that it undergoes.
Ex. Hair Dryer electrical -> light -> thermal & sound
Draw a model that illustrates potential energy, kinetic energy, and gravity.
Be sure to label the following:
- 100% PE
- 100% KE
- PE Decreasing, KE Increasing
- Force of Gravity
Answers will vary
In a state like AZ what would be the most beneficial renewable resource to invest in? Explain your reasoning.
Ex. Solar power would be a good renewable resource to further develop in AZ because we receive abundant sunlight throughout the year.
Suppose the city wanted to put a nuclear powerplant in your community. What would some disadvantages be?
Ex. A radiation leak from the power plant could harm the environment and local community.
What is the main difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?
The main difference is that the particles in a transverse wave move perpendicular to the energy of the wave. While the particles in a longitudinal wave move parallel to the energy of the wave.
What three minerals are attracted to a magnet? And what makes magnetic objects different from non-magnetic objects?
Iron, Cobalt, Nickel
The electrons in magnetic objects spin in the same direction and are organized by North and South poles. This results in a magnetic field surrounding the object.
Think of a hydropower dam. How is electrical energy produced from potential and kinetic energy?
A lake of still water holds a lot of potential energy. When the water is released over the dam wall it turns into kinetic energy, which is used to run a generator and create electricity.
Pretend the coastal town of Galveston, TX has decided to install new wave generators on all its beaches to create energy for the entire island. What disadvantages might arise? (Name 2 disadvantages minimum)
Disadvantages: destroy marine habitats, disrupt migration patters of aquatic species, damage beaches and cause erosion, costly, etc.
Why are non-renewable resources sometimes called fossil fuels?
Non-renewable resources such as coal, oil and natural gas where created hundreds of thousands of years ago from the decaying remains of plants and animals.
Draw a diagram of a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave.
Label your diagrams with the following terms: crest, trough, amplitude, rarefaction, compression & wavelength
Answers will vary
Explain why the scientific method may not follow the exact same steps each time through the process.
The scientific method is not a straight line but rather a cycle of steps. As you make new discoveries throughout your investigation you may need to revisit previous assumptions or do more research.