EE08

Enduring Understandings
The electrical appliances in our homes an offices need a supply of energy to work. The supplier of that energy, the power company, consumes energy at a remote location and sends it through electrical wires to our appliances.The process usually starts with an energy source found in nature, uses it to turn a crank on an electrical generator, and adjusts the voltage at different stages. There are mathematical relationships between the voltage, the current (or amperage), power (or wattage), and the size of your bill from the electrical utility.

Prior Learning (from S8 Anchors):
S8.B.3.3 Explain how renewable and non-renewable resources provide for human needs or how these needs impact the environment. S8.C.2.1 Describe energy sources, transfer of energy, or conversion of energy. S8.C.2.2 Compare the environmental impact of different energy sources chosen to support human endeavors.
 * S8.B.3.3.1 Explain how human activities may affect local, regional, and global environments.
 * S8.B.3.3.2 Explain how renewable and nonrenewable resources provide for human needs (i.e., energy, food, water, clothing, and shelter).
 * S8.C.2.1.1 Distinguish among forms of energy (e.g., electrical, mechanical, chemical, light, sound, nuclear) and sources of energy (i.e., renewable and nonrenewable energy)
 * S8.C.2.1.2 Explain how energy is transferred from one place to another through convection, conduction, or radiation.
 * S8.C.2.1.3 Describe how one form of energy (e.g., electrical, mechanical, chemical, light, sound, nuclear) can be converted into a different form of energy.
 * S8.C.2.2.1 Describe the Sun as the major source of energy that impacts the environment.
 * S8.C.2.2.2 Compare the time span of renewability for fossil fuels and the time span of renewability for alternative fuels.
 * S8.C.2.2.3 Describe the waste (i.e., kind and quantity) derived from the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources and their potential impact on the environment.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to:

 * Explain how the electrical power grid impacts the management and distribution of natural resources.
 * Describe how the electrical power grid use renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
 * Calculate energy costs of electrical appliances.
 * Discuss ways to increase efficiency of electrical appliances.
 * Use Ohm’s Law to explain relative resistances, currents, and voltage.
 * Explain the practical use of alternative sources of energy (i.e., wind, solar, and hydro) to address environmental problems (e.g., air quality, resource depletion).

Working Draft of Essential Learning Activities/Strategies/Technologies

 * Electrical Generation Investigation (hand-crank generators)
 * Electrical Circuit Investigations
 * Calculating Electrical Energy Costs
 * Energy Star & Appliance Efficiency Study
 * Power Grid Research

Supplemental Resources:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/power.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/electricity.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/wind-power.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question110.htm -The 3 Prongs on an Outlet Plug Text- Science Spectrum CH 11.2-Ohms Law; Ch 11.3 Power; CH 8.4 Efficiency; Conservation of Energy Hand-Crank Generators Watt-meters http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education http://www.eia.doe.gov Online Generator Simulations Online Alternative Energy Simulations Online Circuit Simulations An Online Real-time US Power Grid Graph - http://currentenergy.lbl.gov/ A freeware [|circuit solving program]: ".An educational electricity and electronics software for circuit analysis and resolution." from Apple. http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/index.html Ideas for science-fair activities related to energy. http://energizedlearning.lbl.gov/EnergizedLearning.html "Energy supply, conversion and use is central the quality of life for all people. It is our hope that students, teachers and parents will develop a better understanding of energy and its complex interrelationships." [|Gag Toys]: Deduce the energy transformations involved these gadgets [|PA Shopping Guide for Electrical Suppliers] [|NEED], National Energy Education Development Project, featuring lesson plans and question banks, sponsored by a variety of energy industry representative [|Power Grid Applet Activity] (Great applet showing generators and the distribution of electrical power) Student Packet is also linked on site Number of CFLs in use today in PA ...nice statistics http://green.yahoo.com/18seconds/ http://www.pspb.org/e21/media/wind_story.swf http://www.pspb.org/e21/index.php [|Electricial transformation] UMASD Energy Data
 * HOMER energy simulation
 * Wind Story (pspb)
 * Electrical Transformers

Instructional Objectives: Students will be able to...
//Electrical Generation and Transmission// //US Energy Statistics// //Power and Efficiency// //Refrigeration & Energy Conservation// //Energy Futures//
 * describe the energy transformations in an electrical generator.
 * explain the purpose of each of the three wires in a grounded plug.
 * describe the energy changes involved in electrical transformers
 * Use Ohm's Law to determine what effects current
 * interpret data on US energy sources and uses.
 * distinguish between power and energy.
 * use consumer data to calculate an energy bill.
 * identify wasted energy and calculate efficiency in common appliances.
 * describe the energy transformations in a refrigerator.
 * draw a feedback loop for correct refrigerator operation.
 * discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different energy resources.
 * predict future trends of energy consumption.


 * ===References to PDE Academic Standards, Anchors, and Eligible Content===