This module introduces the basic concepts of energy and power as a purposeful

activity that employs a broad range of tools and methodologies. Students will be
introduced to basic principles of physics and will have the opportunity to explore
the technology of electrical energy generation.
Unit One - Big Ideas
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic

1:
2:
3:
4:
5:

Mass and Force

Work Energy and Power
Sources, Forms, Conversions and Transmission of Energy
Sources of Energy for Electrical Generation
Career Connections

Unit Two - Basic Skills

Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic

1:
2:
3:
4:

Energy Conversion and Transmission

Measuring Energy and Energy Transmission
Schematics and Pictorials
Fabrication

Unit Three - Design Activity

Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic

1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:

The Design Team and The Design Portfolio

Identification of the Problem Situation (Step 1)
Development of the Design Brief (Step 2)
Investigation and Research (Step 3)
Identification of Possible Solutions (Step 4)
Selection of the Best Solution (Step 5)
Development of the Solution (Step 6)
Evaluation of the Solution (Step 7)
Presentation of the Report (Step 8)

This unit introduces the basic concepts of energy and power as a purposeful
activity that employs a broad range of tools and methodologies. Specific
tools and methods will be introduced as examples. In particular, students
will be introduced to basic principles of physics and will have the opportunity
to explore the technology of electrical energy generation.

Topic 1 - Mass and Force

Students will be expected to:
1.01

define the term mass and state the unit of measurement for mass.

1.02

define the term force and state the unit of measurement for force
(weight).

1.03

explain the historical context for the unit measurement of force.

Mass and force are related. They are

both fundamental measurements.

Mass
Mass is a measure of the amount of
energy in an object.
Mass stays the same no matter what
force is acting on the object.
It is measured in kilograms.
We use a balance to measure mass
where an object's mass is compared to
another object whose mass has been
defined.
Sometimes people confuse weight and
mass. When someone asks you how
much do you weigh, they really are
asking you what your mass is.
A spring scale is used for measuring
weight because a spring scale
measures the force of gravity pulling
objects downward.

Force
Force is the measurement of influences
that change the direction of an object.
It is measured in Newtons and may be
explained through Newton's Second
Law.
Newton's Second Law states F = ma
(Force equals mass times acceleration).
The most dominant of the forces is
gravity. On each kg of mass the earth
exerts a force of 9.8 N pointing
downwards (towards the center of the
earth). This force accelerates an apple
when it falls from the tree.
Two objects with the same mass will
weigh differently depending on the
measure of gravitational force on that
object.
If an object has a mass of 1 kg on
Earth, it would have a mass of 1 kg
on the moon, even though it would
weigh less.
The force of gravity on the moon is
less than on Earth; therefore, the
object will weigh less on the moon.

Many of the units of measurement that we use in science are directly related
to the name of the scientist who was instrumental in their discovery. For
each scientist listed below:
find when they were born and died.
where they lived.
what unit of measurement was named after them.
Scientists:
Farraday
Joule
Newton
Kelvin
Hertz
Volta
Assignment:
Choice of:
Word/Word Perfect
PowerPoint Presentation
New page in your digital portfolio
Include a graphic of each scientist.
Keep your presentation brief.
You will have one class to complete this assignment.
Save the assignment as Scientist in your digital portfolio.

Topic 2 - Work, Energy & Power

Students will be expected to:
1.04

define the term work and state the unit of measurement for work.

1.05

define the term energy and state the unit of measurement for energy.

1.06

define kinetic energy and explore sources of kinetic energy.

1.07

define potential energy and explore sources of potential energy.

1.08

define the term power and state the unit of measurement for power.

Work
Work is the transfer of energy.
In order to do work, a force has to be applied to a mass and the mass has to be
moved in the direction of the force over a distance.
Work is not done on the mass if the mass doesn't move or if the force applied to
the mass is in the opposite direction to its motion.
Work is measured in Joules ( a Joule is a Newton-metre).

Energy
Energy is the ability to do work.
Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light,
potential energy, electrical, or other forms.
According to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy of a system
remains constant, though energy may transform into another form. Two billiard
balls colliding, for example, may come to rest, with the resulting energy
becoming sound and perhaps a bit of heat at the point of collision.
Other examples include: A plane uses energy to carry passengers. When
electricity turns a motor, the motor is using energy. When water is changed into
steam it uses energy.
Since energy is the ability to do work, it is also measured in Joules.

Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the energy of a mass in motion.
The more the object weights and the faster it is moving, the more kinetic energy
it has.
If a car crashes into a wall at 5 mph, it shouldn't do too much damage to the
car. But if it hits the wall at 40 mph, the car most likely will be totaled.
Kinetic energy would also be a loaded oil tanker coming up Placentia Bay. This
vessel would need miles to stop simply because it has a tremendous amount of
kinetic energy.

Potential Energy
Potential energy is stored energy or energy "waiting to be converted to power".
Examples of potential energy would be sunlight, coal, oil being pumped out of
Hibernia, water in a dam above a power plant.

The yo-yo is an example of both kinetic and potential energy. Sitting in

the yo-yoist's palm, the yo-yo has a certain amount of potential
energy. This potential energy takes two different forms:
The yo-yo is held up in the air, giving it the potential to fall to the
ground.
The yo-yo has string wound around it, giving it the potential to spin as it
unwinds.
When the yo-yo is released, both forms of potential energy change to
kinetic energy. The yo-yo spool falls straight to the ground, which builds
a certain amount of linear momentum. At the same time, the string
unwinds, and the spool spins, which builds angular momentum.

Power
Power is the amount of energy expended in a unit of time or the amount of work
done in a unit of time.
The unit of power is the Watt which is a Joule per second.
An example of power would be people shovelling a mound of dirt by hand may
take all day whereas a loader can come in and do that in a few minutes. The
loader does the same amount of work in a shorter period of time and therefore
has more power.

Assignment
There are two spaces left blank at the bottom of the table. You are to fill in one
example of kinetic energy and one example of potential energy.

Item

gasoline in a fuel tank

rock resting on the top of a

hill
walking your body
food in your stomach
a compressing spring
running your body
sunlight
rubber band flying through
the air
weight hanging from a tree
wind
pendulum clock
water falling in a waterfall
plants

What is it? (kinetic or

potential energy, source
of energy)

potential energy

Why?

because the gasoline is

waiting to be converted to
power by the engine

Topic 3 Electricity
Students will be expected to:
define the term electrical potential difference and state the unit
1.09
of measurement for electrical potential differences.
define the term electrical current and state the unit of
1.10
measurement of electrical current.
Electrical Potential Difference
Electric potential is a location dependent quantity which expresses the
amount of potential energy per unit of charge at a specified location.
Consider the task of moving a positive test charge within a uniform electric
field from location A to location B as shown in the diagram at the right. In
moving the charge against the electric field from location A to location B,
work will have to be done on the charge by an external force. The work
done on the charge changes its potential energy to a higher value; and the
amount of work which is done is equal to the change in the potential
energy. As a result of this change in potential energy, there is also a
difference in electric potential between locations A and B. This difference in
electric potential is represented by the symbol V and is formally referred to
as the electric potential difference. By definition, the electric potential
difference is the difference in electric potential (V) between the final and
the initial location when work is done upon a charge to change its potential
energy.
The standard metric unit on electric potential difference is the volt,
abbreviated V.
Because electric potential difference is expressed in units of volts, it is
sometimes referred to as the voltage.
Energy consumed by an electrical device is measured differently than
mechanical energy. Energy consumed by an electrical device is a product
of the voltage, current and the time that the device is turned on.
Electrical power is the product of the voltage times the current being
consumed by an electrical device.

Electrical Current
Current is a flow of electrical charge carriers, usually electrons or electrondeficient atoms.
Electric current can be either direct or alternating. Direct current (DC)
flows in the same direction at all points in time. In an alternating current
(AC), the flow of charge carriers reverses direction periodically.
Electrical current flows in a loop, or a circuit. The image shows a simple
electrical circuit. The circuit has four important parts: a power source (a
battery, in this case), a conductor (the wire), the load (the lightbulbs), and
a switch.
Current flows from the positive side of the battery, through the bulbs, and
back to the negative side of the battery. As the electric current makes a
complete loop, both bulbs will light.
The common symbol for current is the uppercase letter I. The standard
unit is the ampere, symbolized by A.

Sources, Forms, Conversion and Transmission of Energy

Students will be expected to:
1.11

identify and describe the major forms and sources of energy.

1.12

identify how energy can be converted from one form to another.

1.13

investigate and report on sources that can be used to produce

electricity.

Forms of Energy
Mechanical Energy
energy in a mechanical form
ex. moving wind or moving water moving a turbine
Thermal
the kinetic energy of the movement of atoms and molecules
the internal energy in substances -- the vibration and movement of the atoms
and molecules within substances
Chemical
energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules
Electromagnetic (electricity)

Nuclear
energy stored in the nucleus of an atom -- energy that holds the nucleus
together.
this energy is released when the nuclei are combined or split apart

Sources of Energy
Where does energy come from?
We use many different energy sources to do work for us. Energy sources are
classified into two groupsrenewable and nonrenewable. Renewable and
nonrenewable energy can be converted into secondary energy sources like
electricity.

Can you match these sources of energy with their forms of energy?

Conservation of energy
To scientists, conservation of energy is not saving energy. The law of
conservation of energy says that energy is neither created nor destroyed.
When we use energy, it doesnt disappear. We change it from one form of
energy into another.
A car engine burns gasoline, converting the chemical energy in gasoline into
mechanical energy. Solar cells change radiant energy into electrical energy.
Energy changes form, but the total amount of energy in the universe stays
the same.
Your body is like a machine, and the fuel for your machine is food. Food
gives you the energy to move, breathe, and think. But your body isnt very
efficient at converting food into useful work. Your body is less than five
percent efficient most of the time. The rest of the energy is lost as heat. You
can really feel that heat when you exercise!

Energy Forms
Part One
Select one of the forms of energy listed below.
Biomass
Hydropower
Geothermal
Wind
Solar
Petroleum
Natural Gas
Coal
Uranium
Propane

Answer the following questions about the selected form of energy.

Where does this form of energy occur?
Is it a renewable or non-renewable source of energy?
How does society use it?
Are there any detrimental effects when this source of energy under goes its
transformation when it is put to practical use?

Save this as Energy1 in your Unit One folder in your digital portfolio.

Part Two
Create a table with two columns. Label the left column 'Energy-Users' and
the right column 'Energy Sources.'
Think about items that you use everyday that require some form of energy to
function. Consider items that use oil, gas, electricity, solar power, batteries,
etc. List these items in the 'Energy-Users' column.
Write down the energy source that it uses in the 'Energy Source' column.

Select two of the activities that you have listed. Write a few sentences to
answer the following question about each:
If you were trying to conserve energy, what could you have done instead of using
this item as you did?
Are any of these conservation methods realistic for people to do on a regular
basis? Why or why not?

Save this as Energy2 in your Unit One folder in your digital portfolio.

Sources of Energy for Electrical Generation

Students will be expected to:
1.14

identify how electrical energy is distributed from the source to the consumer.

1.16

examine new technologies that are evolving for more efficient conversion,
transmission, and consumption of electrical energy.

1.17

develop personal rules of conduct for dealing with energy conservation.

Electrical Energy and It's Distribution

In the case of electricity, a generator uses fuel to create mechanical energy that in
turns produces electricity. That fuel can be coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, or falling
water.

The electricity moves from the generator to a switchyard at the power

plant. There it is transformed to a higher voltage and sent on its way via a
transmission line. Transmission lines generally are rated at 69,000 to
500,000 volts (compared to 120 - 240 volts in your home)
From here it is sent along transmission lines. The transmission line quickly
joins a grid - a network of transmission lines from various power
plants. This allows a continuous flow and shifting of power from one area to
another to make sure there is adequate power for customers at all times.

Near towns, the transmission line enters a substation where the electricity is
transformed to a lower voltage ready for distribution lines that serve homes
and businesses in neighbourhoods. Distribution lines typically are rated at
34,500 volts or less. So the voltage is still higher than in your home. The
electricity must pass through a distribution transformer to drop the voltage
to a level suitable for home use.

New Technologies
Do you know about any new or evolving technologies that available for more
efficient conversion, transmission, or consumption of electrical energy?
Hybrid vehicles
Miniaturizing of electronic circuitry (ipods, MP3 players)
Quantum computers (No...we don't have any!)
Fluorescent and LED technologies
Photovoltaic solar cells
Windmills

Are you surprised that you have some of these in your home?

Your Personal Rules of Conduct for Dealing with Energy Conservation

Each decision that you make with regard
to energy use has consequences locally,
regionally and/or globally.

Go to http://www.myfootprint.org/
and take the quiz.
In Word tell how you did on the ecological footprint quiz.
How was your score compared to the other students in your class?
How can you change your energy consumption to make a difference?
Do you use any new technologies in your everyday life?
Save this as Conservation in your digital portfolio.

1.15

discuss legal, ethical, and environmental consequences related to

the generation, conversion, transmission and consumption of
energy for individuals and society.

Without major changes in the way we use energy to meet our needs and the
use efficient equipment and measures, there is little hope of reducing the
impact of energy production and use to reasonable levels. Changes can be
made on a personal level as well as a national/global level. Some examples
of this are:
disposing of batteries
Do you just throw yours in the garbage or do you dispose of them
properly? What is the proper way?
use of inefficient incandescent light bulbs
How much energy can you save by using newer fluorescent and LED
bulbs?
Many look to renewable energy resources to reduce our impact on the
environment. When we look at renewable energy resources what are we
looking at:
bioenergy (energy derived from biomass resources, ie, plant or animal
based organic matter).
geothermal (heat produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water
trapped in reservoirs under the surface of the earth)
hydropower (energy from falling water)
ocean thermal (taking advantage of the differences in temperature in deep
oceans between the warm surface waters, heated by sunshine, and the
deeper cold waters. This is used to generate power.)
solar energy (energy comes to us from the sun as high intensity radiation
(light energy). As it falls on the earth, it is transformed into heat by any
surface or material.)
tidal power (generating electricity by capturing the energy contained in
moving water mass, ie tides, much the same way that hydro power plants
capture energy from falling water.)
wind energy (energy from the wind can be harnessed to generate
electricity or to provide mechanical energy to pump water.)

Even alternative energy sources can have negative environmental effects.

Wind Farms
affecting wildlife (rare species of bats, birds in Western Canada), humans
(low frequency noise damage), aesthetics, ice buildup on blades during
winter months flying off and causing property damage or injury,
destruction of natural vegetation, displacement of communities,
television interference.
Hydroelectric facilities
problems with rotting vegetation produces significant amounts of green
house gases, destruction of native grounds, land claim issues
Three Gorges Dam, China
James Bay Project, Quebec
Geothermal
noise pollution, dissolved solids in steam quickly erodes pipes, natural
steams contain many green house gases, not easily transported

Our daily lives are governed by the availability of energy. After looking at your
daily lives in the previous lessons you should have an idea of how energy has an
impact on your daily life. After completing this assignment you will have gained an
appreciation of how energy is produced, is used, and of the economic and
environmental impact of specific energy sources.

Task
Your task is to argue for or against the continued or future use of a
particular energy resource based on your research findings.
Your task will consist of several parts:
research
a creative and informative class presentation
a colourful poster

You will make a recommendation to the class on the continued or future use
of your energy source based on your research findings.

Process
Working in a group of two, choose an energy source from the following list:
coal
oil
natural gas
hydro electric dam
windmill
solar
biomass ("garbage" or agricultural)

nuclear
hydrogen fuel cell
tidal-generated hydro
geothermal

Research
Your research should answer the following questions:
How is your energy source extracted, processed, refined?
How is your energy source transported to the user?
How does your consumer use the energy source? How does the energy source
generate useful work?
How exactly does the energy work?
What is the environmental impact of the above? (positive and negative)
Describe a known disaster or cautionary tale (true) which relates to your energy
source. (This could be an ecological disaster (ex. an oil spill), or an economic one
(a project where costs outweigh benefits), or a health disaster (nuclear
meltdown).
Would you recommend the continued use of your resource? Support your
conclusion with evidence from your research.

Careers
Students will be expected to:
1.18

examine and consider career trends and professions in energy and power
related industries

The careers below are all related to energy and power related industries. Select
one career to investigate and complete the assignment below.

Health and Safety Engineers

Architect

Hydrologist

Derrick Operators - Oil and Gas

Line Installers and Repairers

Drillers and Blasters

Machine Operators

Drilling Engineer

Machinists

Drilling Rig Medic

Meter Readers, Utilities

Electrical and Electronics Engineer

Mine Engineers

Electrical and Electronics Installers and

Repairers

Mud Engineer

Electrical Control (Machine) Builder

Electrical Motor System Technician
Electrician - Power House Operator (TTC)
Electricians
Environmental Engineers

Natural Science Managers

Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Petroleum Engineers
Pipefitter

Environmental Impact Analyst

Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and

Dispatchers

Environmental Issues Lobbyist

Riggers

Environmental Scientists

Roughneck

Fabricators

Semiconductor Processors

Fitter - Assembler (Motor Assembly)

Surveyors and Surveying Technicians

Gas and Chemical Processing Supervisors

Transmission Installer

Gas Fitters

Transmission Planning Engineer

Geologist

Utility Plant Maintenance Worker

Assignment:
Use the Internet to research answers for the questions.
Properly state your answers to each question in a Word or WordPerfect document.
At the end of your document place the title "Internet Sources" and list under the title the
web sites you used to answer each question.
Sample
Internet Sources
Question 1
http://www.occdsb.on.ca/~proj4632/learnmore.htm
www.robotics.com/intro.htm
Save your document using the name Assignment_5 in the assignment folder in your
course portfolio.
When the assignment is completed link the document to the appropriate title on the
Unit 1 page in your course Portfolio.

Questions:
1.

Give a job description for this career (ie., what does the person do?).

2.

For what industry (or industries) do they work?

3.

What is the minimum training or education needed for an entry-level job in

this career? (ie. apprenticeship, associate degree, bachelor's degree,
master's degree, other)

4.

What is the average salary earned by a person in this career? (state

whether Canadian or US dollars, biweekly, monthly, yearly, etc.)

5.

Name two things you would enjoy about this career. Tell why.

6.

Name two things you think would be difficult about this career. Tell why.

Places to start your search:

http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/all.shtml
CollegeGrad.com - Career Information - U.S. site
http://tradeability.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=3330&Lang=en
tradeability.ca - Career Information on skilled trades jobs - Canadian site
http://www.jobfutures.ca/noc/browse-occupations-alphabet.shtml
Government of Canada site - alphabetical job listings
http://www.workfutures.bc.ca/profiles/index_alpha.cfm?page=1&lang=en&site=
graphic
Work Futures - British Columbia Occupational Outlooks - alphabetical job
listings
http://www.edinformatics.com/careers/
Edinformatics - Education for the Information Age - Career Database
To search for information on any job - do a Google search for "job title" +"job
description" filling in the job that you are looking in for job title. (be sure to
include the quotation marks and the plus sign in your Google search)
http://www.khake.com/page49.html
Vocational Information Center - Energy and Power Career Guide

Due Date:
You will have one class to complete this assignment.