Gravitational Potential Energy

The main presentation is a PowerPoint with animated sequences using a roller coaster to show the transfer of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy, and visa versa.

Support Material
Readme (instructions for whole lesson)
Learning Outcomes (PowerPoint)
Starter Activity (PowerPoint and Worksheet)
Main Activity (PowerPoint with worksheets and answer sheets)
Lesson Notes (hand-out)
Plenary Activity (PowerPoint and worksheet)

It is intended for all science teachers but particularly those who are not physics specialists. It is, primarily, aimed at 14 to 16 year old pupils but can also be used for more able younger pupils or at a higher level as a precursor to a more in-depth study of this topic. Normally, the activities would fill a 45 to 60 minute lesson but could be spread over two lessons if needs be.

If you buy this resource, please print the Readme document as it contains the instructions and details of the files included.

Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes are based on Bloom’s taxonomy of hierarchical classification: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The lesson title and learning outcomes are:

How Do Roller Coasters Work?
Learning Outcomes
Analysis

• to calculate gravitational potential energy (GPE).
• to infer the gain in kinetic energy (KE) from the amount of GPE transferred.

Differentiation
The activities have varying degrees of differentiation; please refer to the Readme document.