Who Has the Power?

This lesson fell into the middle of the seven grade physics unit. The students had just finished learning the equations related to force, work, and power. They had some practice using the formulas, but this activity provided a hands-on way to visualize the results of those calculations.

The students were divided into teams of four: a runner, a time keeper, a surveyor, and a manager. Each was responsible for a particular part of the lab. The manager weighed the runner (in kilometers) to determine his or her mass. The timekeeper used a stop watch determine the amount of time it took the runner to climb a flight of stairs, and the surveyor determined the vertical distance that the runner had to climb. Using all of this information, the students had to calculate the force exerted, the work done, and the power produced by the runner. This data was the used to answer a few conceptual questions. The different groups competed to see who could produce the most power.

1. To collect data as the result of an experiment.
2. To calculate quantities based on data. (Force, Work, Power, Distance)
3. To perform a metric unit conversion from centimeters to meters.
4. To understand the relationships between force, work, and power.

1. Kilogram scale
2. Ruler
3. Stopwatch
4. Staircase

Ohio Physical Science Standard

(grades 6-8) Benchmark
B. In simple cases, describe the motion of objects and conceptually describe the effects of forces on an object.

Ohio Scientific inquiry Standard

(grades 6-8) Benchmark
B. Analyze and interpret data from scientific investigations using appropriate mathematical skills in order to draw valid conclusions.

Formal Writeup

Reflection

Student Handout

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