Unit 3 Description
In this unit, you will explore how energy is transferred, transformed, and conserved in physical systems. Building on concepts from dynamics, you will examine the relationship between work, energy, and power, and analyze how energy changes form in mechanical systems. You will investigate kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and the law of conservation of energy. Through problem solving and experimental investigations, you will develop an understanding of how energy principles apply to everyday situations, technology and environmental contexts. You will connect force and motion concepts to energy transformations and analyze systems using both qualitatie reasoning and quantitative calculations.
Learning Goals:
By the end of this unit, you will be able to- explain the relationship between work and energy.
- calculate work done by a constant force.
- calculate kinetic energy of a moving object (\( E_k= \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \))
- calculate gravitational potential energy (\( E_g=mgh \))
- apply the law of conservation of energy to solve problems.
- determine speed using energy methods instead of kinematics.
- calculate power and explain its meaning in real-life contexts.
- analyze energy transformations in mechanical systems.
- communicate your solutions clearly using proper units and diagrams.
Overall Expectations (Ontario Curriculum SPH3U):