This PowerPoint resource provides a detailed and interactive lesson on understanding, calculating, and investigating changes in gravitational potential energy. It is tailored for high school physics classes to explore the factors influencing gravitational potential energy and its real-world applications.
Key learning objectives:
- Identifying the factors affecting the gravitational potential energy (GPE) store of a system: mass, gravitational field strength, and height.
- Calculating GPE using the formula: GPE (J)=mass (kg)×gravitational field strength (N/kg)×height (m)
- Investigating how mass and height impact changes in GPE and relating the concept to work done.
Resource features:
The lesson begins with a starter activity to review units and concepts related to energy and gravity. Students are introduced to GPE through relatable examples, such as comparing climbers at different heights or analyzing objects lifted in varying gravitational fields.
Key topics include:
- How work done against gravity increases GPE.
- Practical examples demonstrating GPE calculations, such as a crane lifting a metal beam or a person climbing stairs.
- Exploring how GPE changes on Earth, the Moon, and Jupiter due to varying gravitational field strengths.
Students conduct hands-on investigations, such as calculating GPE changes while stepping up or lifting objects. They analyze how different surfaces and planetary conditions impact energy requirements. The lesson also emphasizes the relationship between work done and GPE changes.
Last updated: April 2025
File details:
This editable ‘.pptx’ file aligns with physics curricula and supports theoretical and practical learning. It features clear visuals, guided practice, and engaging activities, making it an essential resource for teaching gravitational potential energy and its applications.
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