9-12

H4: Analyze the relationship between the kinetic and potential energy of a falling object.

Curriculum Organizing Questions	During this event where is kinetic energy highest and lowest? During this event where is potential energy highest and lowest?
Elaboration	Units and formulas for kinetic and potential energy are more difficult than they are worth for the semi quantitative understanding needed. The notion of potential energy is useful for situations in which motion might occur. Benchmarks p. 81.
Specific Ideas	Energy can not be created or destroyed, but only changed from one form into another.Benchmarks 4E1 (6-8). Whenever the amount of energy in one place or form diminishes, the amount of energy in other places or forms increases by the same amount.Benchmarks 4E1. All energy can be considered to be either kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion; potential energy, which depends on relative position; or energy contained by a field, such as electromagnetic waves. NSES B5b.
Developmental & Instructional Implications	See pages 143-147 in Driver et al for a detailed description of children's ideas about energy.
Examples

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