Lesson 1: Stored Power: Potential vs. Kinetic Energy
Duration of Days: 5
Lesson Objective
Students will explain the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy and identify the mousetrap as a class-one lever.
1. How does a coiled spring store "work"?
2. Why does the length of the lever arm change how fast the spring "unwinds"?
Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Torque, Lever Arm.
CT CTE ENG.05.04: Apply principles of mechanical power and simple machines.
NGSS HS-PS3-3: Design a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another.
Students examine a standard mousetrap. They measure the force required to pull the spring back at different angles and sketch the "lever" components.
Purpose: To understand that the mousetrap is the "engine" and its energy is finite.
DOK Level: Level 2 (Skills & Concepts).
Provide a "Force vs. Distance" guided worksheet for students who need structured data collection.
Exit Ticket: "If I double the length of the lever arm, what happens to the torque applied to the axle?"
Mousetraps, scales, rulers, protractors.