The Physics Classroom » Lesson Plans » Conceptual Physics » Work and Energy

Conceptual Physics Course Package

We will be beginning a project during the 2024-25 school year in which we create a package of materials to support teachers teaching a Conceptual Physics course. The downloadable package will include slide decks, think sheets, labs, quizzes, and tests. Answer keys will be provided. This will be a for-sale item that is offered to teachers. We hope to have the project completed before the start of the 2025-26 school year.

In creating our Lesson Plans and Learning Outcomes for this course we have referenced several of the items that we intend to place in the package. We have used red text wherever we have made such a reference. These items will only be available by purchase of the course package.
 

Work and Energy - Lesson Plans

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.

Day 1 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce new unit; discuss Work
    Definition; examples and non-examples; equation, units, sample calculations; scalar quantity, + vs. - work; use Q#1-6 of Work Think Sheet
  2. Lab 1 - It's All Uphill
    Do and post-lab with attention given to theta
  3. If time allows: start Minds On Physics: Mission WE1 on Work
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 1, Parts a and b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE1 on Work


 

Day 2 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Review work; do some sample calculations
  2. Pair Practice: complete Work Think Sheet
  3. Lab 2 - Push the Plow
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Energy 1 on Work


 

Day 3 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss kinetic energy (KE), gravitational potential energy (PE), total mechanical energy (TME)
    Relate concepts to Push the Plow lab
  2. Pair Practice: KE and PE Think Sheet
    Do as pairs; check answers; then do ...
  3. Concept Builder: Name That Energy
  4. Concept Builder: What's Up (and Down) with KE and PE
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 1, Parts c, d, and e
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE3 on KE and PE


 

Day 4 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Review KE, PE, and TME
  2. Pair Practice: Energy Think Sheet
  3. Lab 3 - Energy on an Incline
    Collect data and Post-Lab
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Concept Builder: Energy Ranking Tasks
  2. Complete Lab 3 Report


 

Day 5 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss mechanical energy conservation (KE <==> PE)
    Conditions that lead to TME being constant; conservative vs. non-conservative forces; numerical examples; effects on/of speed and height; relate to Lab 3
  2. Pair Practice: Mechanical Energy Conservation Think Sheet
    Do; check answers; then begin ...
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission WE4 on Mechanical Energy
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 2, Parts a and c
  2. CalcPad: Energy 2 on Mechanical Energy Conservation


 

Day 6 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Energy analysis for cases in which TME is conserved
    Do ~2 examples from Energy Analysis Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: Roller Coaster Model with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process
  3. Concept Builder: Stepping Up to PE and KE (Apprentice and Master only)
  4. If time allows, start Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Roller Coaster Model Concept Checker
  2. If not completed in class, complete Stepping Up to PE and KE


 

Day 7 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss non-conservative forces and energy transfers across the system boundary
    Use examples from Work-Energy Transformations Think Sheet
  2. Pair Practice: complete Work-Energy Transformations Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Energy Analysis 2 (Apprentice Level only)
  4. If time allows, start Mission WE5 on Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 2, Part b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission WE5 on Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces


 

Day 8 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Energy analysis for cases in which TME is AND is not conserved
    Do 1 example of each from Energy Analysis Think Sheet
  2. Discuss work-energy bar charts
    Do ~2 examples from Bar Chart Illustrations Think Sheet
  3. Pair Practice: complete remainder of Bar Chart Illustrations Think Sheet
  4. Concept Builder: Words and Chart
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Work, Energy, and Power: Lesson 2, Part e
  2. If not done in class, complete Words and Chart


 

Day 9 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Guided/Individual Practice: ~2 examples from Energy Analysis Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: Chart That Motion
  3. Concept Builder: Up and Down with Energy (Apprentice and Master Levels only)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Energy 3 on Energy Analysis


 

Day 10 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Guided/Individual Practice: 1-2 examples from Energy Analysis Think Sheet
  2. Concept Builder: Energy Analysis 1
  3. If time allows, start CalcPad: Energy 4 on Energy Analysis
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Energy 4 on Energy Analysis


 

Day 11 of Work and Energy

Lesson Plan
  1. Concept Builder: Match That Bar Chart
  2. Review unit; discuss tomorrow's test

Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work