[DoDEA Science]

DRAFT

Energy Conversion

Chemistry Community

Grade Level	9 - 12
Standards	Physical Science Concepts
		Students will explain the conservation of energy and the increase in disorder
		Students will compare forms of energy found in the Earth
	Science in Personal And Social Perspectives
		Students will participate in conserving natural resources
		Students will describe factors that influence environmental quality
	History And Nature Of Science
		Students will understand that science is a human endeavor

Objectives	Propose actions that could be taken to reduce petroleum consumption. Identify the energy conversions that occur in an automobile. Calculate how much gasoline is used by a car in a year and its cost.
Materials and Activities
Materials
Engage	Show videoclips of automobile commercials. Include commercials for a variety of vehicle types. Discuss strategies used by advertisers to promote their product. Have students identify which commercials include information on gas mileage.
Explore	For homework, students are to determine the gas mileage for three different types of vehicles. For example, they can obtain the information by visiting a car dealership, using advertisements in magazines or internet resources. Both city and highway mileages are needed. During the next class period have students write down their findings on a chart in front of the class. A chart that includes the following information can be used. Type of Vehicle Make Model Year City Mileage Hwy Mileage (compact, mid-sized, full-sized, SUV, Van) ___________________ ____ ________ _____ ________ ______
Explain	In groups of three, have students look for patterns in the information collected. Discuss the patterns that the students discover. Each group should write down their interpretations on a chart. A spokesperson from each group will share the information with the class.
Elaborate	Working in pairs, each student is to calculate the amount of gasoline a specific vehicle uses in a year. In making the calculation, assume they drive 225 miles each week. They should use the city gas mileage from the collected information, and select one of the cars from the chart on the board. Share and discuss the data and costs associated with different vehicles. Ask the question, what are some ways that drivers can reduce the amount of gasoline that they use.
Evaluation	Using the family car, each student will be asked to calculate the gasoline cost per year. (use $1.35/gallon as the average cost of gasoline). Students can interview their parents in order to obtain the necessary information.
Homework

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