Physics is about studying how the universe works, and since you're in it, it's really about understanding you and the world you live in. Hopefully you'll find this very interesting! Seek to improve your learning by polishing each portfolio objective, each online text assignment, and then by noticing physics in your life!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Student energy representations

Want some help with the energy concepts?  The 1,2,3s and storage?  Try the energy skate park
Energy Skate Park
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A little push to get it started, then the car moves (Ek), and over time the Ech is transferred to the environment via Q&R.  Some might ask shouldn't there be some Eth if the car is warming up enough to Q&R?  And does the car go faster, or should Ek stay about the same?
The candle is lit by a hot (Q) match, then it melts a bit (Eint, Q) and has a flame (Eth, Q, R)
The circuit has a battery (Ech), and as it runs the motor, there is Eth, Ek, and losses due to Q&R.  (One might argue there would be a bit of Eem while the motor is running)

(I think the system was the rubber band) which was stretched (W --> Eel), then launched upwards (Eg, Ek), and at the top Eg.

Mass hanging on a spring, starts with a little Eg&Eel.  stretched (W) all Eel, then as it bobs up and down it moves through the middle (Eg, Eel, Ek), to the top (Eg) and back again (and again....)

There are two changes here, a flashlight and a match.
The flashlight (Ech) is turned on (W), and then lights up (Eth), which transfers energy out via Q&R, (so over time the Ech will get smaller)(can't tell what the third storage mode is in the middle circle, Eem?  if so, that should be in the third circle too)
The match (Ech) is lit (W), warms up (Eth), (and transfers energy out via Q&R, not "H")