Kinetic and Potential Energy

Grade 10 · Physics

Semester 1 | Period 3 | Week 14

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Subject: Physics

Semester: 1

Period: 3

Week: 14

School Name:

Teacher’s Name:

Subject: Physics

Grade Level: Grade 10

Week & Period: Week 14, Period III

Date:

Sub-topic: Kinetic and Potential Energy

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:

  1. Define kinetic and potential energy.
  2. State the mathematical expressions for both.
  3. Compute kinetic and potential energy using formulas.
  4. Distinguish between the two types of mechanical energy.
  5. Relate energy to real-life situations.

Instructional Materials:

  • Meter rule
  • Stopwatches
  • Masses and stands
  • Inclined planes
  • Spring scales
  • Chart with energy formulas

Anticipation (Warm-Up):
Ask learners:

  • “What kind of energy does a moving car possess?”
  • “What about a book placed on a shelf?”

Building Knowledge:

  1. Kinetic Energy (KE):
    Energy due to motion

    Where m = mass (kg), v = velocity (m/s)
  2. Potential Energy (PE):
    Energy stored due to position or height

    Where m = mass (kg), g = 9.8 m/s², h = height (m)
  3. Differences:

Kinetic Energy

Potential Energy

Energy of motion

Energy of position

Depends on speed

Depends on height

Zero if object is stationary

Zero if object is on ground level

Solved Example 1:
Find the KE of a 3 kg object moving at 4 m/s

Solved Example 2:
Find the PE of a 5 kg object at 2 m height

Activities:

  • Drop weights from various heights and measure impact (energy transfer)
  • Roll a cart down a ramp and calculate KE at the bottom
  • Compare PE at different heights

Assessment:
Oral:

  1. What is potential energy?
  2. Write the formula for kinetic energy.

Written:

  1. A 2 kg ball is at a height of 10 m. Calculate its PE.
  2. A 4 kg cart moves at 3 m/s. Find its KE.

Homework:

  1. List five objects with PE and five with KE in your environment.
  2. What happens to PE when an object falls?

Expanded Notes:

  • Energy changes form between KE and PE (e.g., a swinging pendulum)
  • Total mechanical energy = KE + PE
  • At the highest point, KE is 0; at the lowest point, PE is 0

Differentiation:

  • Provide guided calculations
  • Use colorful diagrams and real-life examples
  • Allow group tasks for experimenting

Teacher’s Reflection:

  • Were learners able to calculate energies correctly?
  • Could they explain the difference between KE and PE?
  • Who needs support with formula application?