Exploring Physics Class Summary 3/3/14

with Sally Zeiner

Work, Force and Energy!

Toy cars made a big impression in physics class this week, but before we began our experiment, we reviewed the concepts of work and force that we have been learning about for the previous two weeks. It is difficult to remember which is which.  

Here are the definitions from our textbook:

"Work is what happens when force moves an object."

"A force is any action that changes the location or shape of an object or how fast or slowly an object is moving."

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When we squeeze the binder clip, we use force. When the binder clip opens, work occurs. Ask your children if they can apply those terms to other experiments from class or home.

We also learned that "energy is something that gives something else the ability to do work." My breakfast gives me the energy to come to Mosaic in the morning. This is stored energy. In class this week, we learned about and experimented with different kinds of stored energy, such as the energy in a rubber band or in an object raised off the ground. We tested cars released at different heights, and discovered that the higher up the car, the further it traveled. This is called gravitational stored energy.

We had a great time testing the cars and recording our results. If your child continued to test cars at home this week, please send in his/her results. We will spend time in class making graphs and charts of our results. They are welcome to send in a favorite car next week to compete!