| Lesson Plan |
| Grade: |
Date: 25/02/2026 |
| Subject: Physics |
| Lesson Topic: Know the principle of the conservation of energy and apply this principle to complex examples involving multiple stages, including the interpretation of Sankey diagrams |
Learning Objective/s:
- Describe the principle of conservation of energy and its mathematical expression.
- Explain how energy transforms between different forms in multi‑stage processes.
- Interpret Sankey diagrams to identify energy flows, losses and efficiencies.
- Apply the conservation principle to solve multi‑stage problems, including calculations of speed or energy output with losses.
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Materials Needed:
- Projector or interactive whiteboard
- PowerPoint slides with key formulas and Sankey diagram examples
- Printed worksheet containing multi‑stage problems and Sankey‑diagram tasks
- Calculator (or calculator app)
- Small set of masses and a ramp for a brief demonstration (optional)
- Ruler or measuring tape for the demo (optional)
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Introduction:
Begin with a quick visual of a roller‑coaster drop to hook interest, then ask students to recall the different forms of energy they have studied. Connect this to the idea that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to track energy through several stages and read Sankey diagrams to evaluate efficiency.
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Lesson Structure:
- Do‑now (5'): short quiz on forms of energy and basic equations.
- Mini‑lecture (10'): present the conservation principle, introduce the total‑energy equation and explain Sankey diagram conventions.
- Guided example (15'): work through the roller‑coaster multi‑stage problem step‑by‑step, highlighting where 5 % losses are applied.
- Student practice (15'): in pairs, solve a new multi‑stage problem (e.g., hydroelectric plant) and draw the corresponding Sankey diagram.
- Whole‑class discussion (10'): compare solutions, interpret an electric‑heater Sankey diagram, and calculate efficiency.
- Check for understanding (5'): exit ticket – one sentence describing how to incorporate energy losses when moving from one stage to the next.
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Conclusion:
Recap that energy is conserved across each stage, with losses accounted for by reducing the useful energy. Emphasise how Sankey diagrams provide a quick visual check of those losses and overall efficiency. Assign homework: complete a worksheet that requires drawing a Sankey diagram for a real‑world system and calculating its efficiency.
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