Lesson 4 Renewable energy

Energy resources lesson plans

Lesson 4 renewable energy

5 minutes – recap of the last lesson about fossil fuels.

10 minutes Starter – Setting up the solar panel practical

Most of the energy on earth comes from the Suns rays. It is then converted into other forms of energy that we are familiar with on Earth. However as an alternative to fossil fuels we can use the Sun’s rays directly as an energy resource – this is called solar power. You will be setting up an experiment to investigate how colour affects the solar panels that heat water in some peoples homes.

1. Wrap a measuring cylinder with different coloured sheets of paper (inc black & white).

2. Fill the cylinder with 50 ml of water, use a thermometer to measure the starting temperature of the water.

3. Place the cylinder next to a desk lamp with a 60 W bulb and wait for 25 mins.

25 minutes Main activity Table and other energy resources

Prepare a table to record the results of the experiment and draw a diagram of the equipment. Mr Cuthbert will then ask for your ideas on other forms of renewable energy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/science/physics/energy_transfer_6.shtml for more information.

Home work set for this week. Design a poster about 1 form of renewable energy that shows one advantage and one disadvantage.

20 minutes – Practical results.

4. Measure the final temperature of the water in the measuring cylinder.

5. Were there any changes? Were some colours better than others?

6. Answer questions a – d on pg 103 of the textbook.

Recap of key points in the lesson.

Grading

Level 3
Name some renewable energy resources

Level 4
Give some examples of how to save fuels

Level 5
Identify which sort of energy an object has, or is using
Describe how renewable energy resources can be used to make electricity
Describe how renewable energy resources can be used to make heat

Level 6/7
Explain the advantages and limitations of different energy resources

NC Scheme of work - Sc4 5a/b Energy resources

SC1 Scientific enquiry - Sc1. 2a,g,h,I,j,k,m,o,p Investigative skills – obtaining evidence