Lesson 1: Laws of Energy and Energy Forms
Duration of Days: 3
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to explain the law of conservation of energy, identify and compare different forms of energy, and use models to describe how energy transfers and transforms within systems.
-What is energy, and how is it defined in physical systems?
-What are the different forms of energy?
-What does the law of conservation of energy state?
-How does energy transfer between objects and systems?
-How can energy change from one form to another without being lost?
-How do models help us understand energy in real-world systems?
Energy
Kinetic energy
Potential energy
Thermal energy
Chemical energy
Electrical energy
Nuclear energy
Radiant energy
Conservation of energy
System
Energy transfer
Energy transformation
Work
HS-PS3-1 – Create computational or conceptual models to calculate and describe energy transfer in systems.
HS-PS3-2 – Develop and use models to illustrate that energy is conserved and transformed within a system.
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts
-Energy and Matter
-Systems and System Models
-Cause and Effect
-Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Students will interpret diagrams of energy systems to identify energy transformations and trace energy flow.
Students will analyze simple systems (roller coasters, circuits, falling objects) to determine how energy is conserved.
Students will construct explanations using evidence to describe how energy changes form but is never created or destroyed.
Students will explore the fundamental concept of energy and how it exists in multiple forms that can transfer and transform within systems. Through modeling activities and real-world examples, students will trace energy changes and apply the law of conservation of energy to physical scenarios.
Activities may include:
-Analyzing energy transformation diagrams (roller coasters, falling objects)
-Modeling energy transfer using simple systems
-Classifying real-world examples of energy forms
-Tracking energy changes in interactive simulations
Purpose: Build foundational understanding of energy as a conserved quantity that changes form within systems.
DOK Level: 2–3 – Skill/Concept to Strategic Thinking (classification, modeling, and explanation)
Students connect energy concepts to everyday experiences such as transportation, food energy, sports, electricity use, and household appliances.
Students explore how energy transformations power modern technology and infrastructure.
Students may think energy is “used up” rather than transformed.
Students may confuse energy with force or motion.
Students may believe objects stop having energy when they stop moving.
Students may think heat is not a form of energy.
-Visual energy flow diagrams with scaffolding
-Sentence frames for explaining energy transformations
-Hands-on modeling of energy transfer systems
-Graphic organizers for energy types
-Guided practice classifying energy forms
-Peer explanations using real-world examples
-Formative checks during modeling activities and simulations
-Quizzes on energy forms and vocabulary
-Energy transformation diagram labeling
-Constructed-response explanations of conservation of energy
-Exit tickets identifying energy changes in systems
-Energy transformation diagrams
-Simulation tools such as PhET-style energy labs if available
-Roller coaster or motion system visuals
-Worksheets on energy classification
-Real-world system examples such as appliances, sports, and vehicles