Understanding energy

Thomas Bauer, Dorle Lohn, Benjamin Best, Philipp Schneider, Monika Saak, Georg Kobschätzky, Michael Blinzler
Status: Feb 2023
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Different forms of energy, the transformation of energy and the law of conservation of energy have always been discussed in physics lessons. Often, the forms of energy are examined using examples such as a trampoline jumper or a roller coaster. However, since the energy transition and the future energy supply are one of the greatest tasks of our time, it makes sense to look at examples from these topics during the introduction to the topic of energy. In this way, the students become aware of the relevance of the topic of energy for their lives and realize how their standard of living depends on energy.

To get a feeling for energy consumption, the average energy consumption per day and person is compared with the energy generated by cyclists.

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Everybody's Darling energy

We need energy for almost everything we do. Nothing works without energy. We need the most energy for heating and for mobility.

Energy has always been discussed in physics lessons. Why don't we discuss energy and its forms in terms of our energy consumption and learn right away where we use how much energy?

>>Worksheet everybodys Darling

- Gymnasium (docx)
- Realschule (docx/pdf)

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units of energy or who is robert

Primary energy consumption in Germany is around 14,000 PJ. Hardly anyone can imagine what this figure means. It is much easier to calculate how much energy a German consumes per day.

One gets the figure of 120 kWh/person and day. To illustrate this as well, consider the energy a cyclist could generate per day and realize that you therefore have 120 cyclists on duty every day.

This unit can be used to introduce the energy quantities and also to illustrate to the students what a tremendous demand for energy we have.

Olympic Cyclist Vs. Toaster: Can He Power It? - YouTube

>> Worksheet: Who is Robert

- Gymnasium (docx)
- Realschule (docx/pdf)

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energy consumption

Of our demand of 120 kWh per person and day, only 18kWh are covered by renewable energies.

In this lesson, terms such as primary energy and final energy are clarified and the current energy demand is calculated.

>>Worksheet energy consumption

- Gymnasium (docx)
- Realschule (docx/pdf)

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Human energy source

In the media there are often articles and headlines with creative ideas for energy generation, which often seem as if this idea is the solution, for example

 Human energy source - cardio for the smartphone battery

Sometimes, however, these articles use the wrong terms.

In this worksheet, articles and headlines of this type are evaluated to gain a deeper understanding of the physical quantities of energy and power and to practice the skills of evaluation.

>>Worksheet: energy and power

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Guide: Renewable energy in Germany

Ein möglicher Leitfaden durch das Schuljahr könnte die Beantwortung der Frage „Reichen die erneuerbaren Energien in Deutschland“ sein.

Dieses Arbeitsblatt kann dazu als Leitfaden dienen!

>>Worksheet: Guide: Energy balance and area balance of renewable energies (docx/pdf)