http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_energy/cub_energy_lesson02.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, forceelectricalenergyhydroelectrickinetic energyJoulesmechanicalNewtonspotential energypowerwaterwheelwattsworkenergyworkpower

Investigating a waterwheel illustrates to students the physical properties of energy. They learn that the concept of work, force acting over a distance, differs from power, which is defined as force acting over a distance over some period of time. Students create a model waterwheel and use it to calculate the amount of power produced and work done.

While designing elevators, power plants or race cars, mechanical engineers take into consideration the concepts of both work and power. Engineers who design automobile engines consider whether the engine will be used in a high-performance or economical car. A high-performance engine is able to quickly accelerate and has a high power rating; it is also more expensive to manufacture. Thus, an engineer designs an engine for an economical car with a lower power rating to reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the car. Make a connection between the concepts of power and work and engineering design. Describe how a waterwheel can produce mechanical and electrical power. Explain how the concept of the conservation of energy applies to real-world scenarios.50TeachEngineering.orgBailey JonesMatt LundbergChris YakackiMalinda Schaefer ZarskeDenise W. CarlsonKahan, Peter. Science Explorer: Motion, Forces, and Energy, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000.S11417D8International_Technology_and_Engineering_Educators_AssociationTechnologyE. Energy is the capacity to do work. 68S11417DAInternational_Technology_and_Engineering_Educators_AssociationTechnologyG. Power is the rate at which energy is converted from one form to another or transferred from one place to another, or the rate at which work is done. 68S11424D3ColoradoScienceb. Use mathematical expressions to describe the movement of an object 88S11424D7ColoradoSciencec. Use research-based models to describe energy transfer mechanisms, and predict amounts of energy transferred88S11426CFColoradoMathb. Use representations of linear functions to analyze situations and solve problems 88S1142658ColoradoMatha. Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers including integers, positive and negative fractions and decimals 88United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2012-02-218Teacher