Changes in Energy Model

Assign the Changes in Energy Model activity to have students use the drawing tools and microphone to design and explain a model that shows that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.

Work with students to clarify that the emphasis on their model should be on the emphasis on relative amounts of potential energy, not on the calculations of potential energy. Share with students different examples of objects within systems that interact at various distances, such as:

• the Earth and a roller coaster cart at various positions on a hill or objects at varying heights on shelves,
• changing the direction of or orientation of a magnet, and
• a balloon with static electrical charge being brought closer to a classmate's hair.

Examples of models could include representations, diagrams, pictures, and written descriptions of different systems.

Wixie Changes in Energy Model Activity