Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Physics
Lesson Topic: recall and apply the principle of conservation of energy
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the principle of conservation of energy and its mathematical form.
  • Identify and differentiate kinetic, gravitational potential, and elastic potential energy in physical situations.
  • Apply the conservation of energy equation to solve quantitative problems, including those with non‑conservative work.
  • Explain common misconceptions and justify correct energy accounting.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard for displaying equations and diagrams.
  • Printed worksheets with practice problems.
  • Scientific calculators for each student.
  • Spring‑loaded carts and masses for a demonstration.
  • Stopwatch and measuring tape (optional for extended activity).
  • Energy‑conversion bar‑chart handouts.
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick demonstration: drop a ball and ask students what happens to its speed. Connect this to their prior knowledge of kinetic and potential energy from earlier topics. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to use the conservation of energy principle to predict outcomes in a range of situations. Success will be measured by correctly solving the practice problems and explaining any energy losses.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5'): Students answer a short recall question on the energy equation on the board; teacher checks responses.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Review the conservation principle, forms of energy, and the work‑energy theorem using projector slides.
  3. Demonstration (8'): Spring‑loaded cart experiment; students predict final speed using conservation, then observe the result.
  4. Guided practice (12'): Work through Example 1 (falling object) together, completing a worksheet.
  5. Group activity (15'): Solve Example 2 and a practice question from the table, discussing any non‑conservative work.
  6. Check for understanding (5'): Quick quiz (exit ticket) with one problem requiring the correct conservation equation.
  7. Summary & homework briefing (5'): Review the checklist and assign three additional textbook problems covering gravitational and elastic scenarios.
Conclusion:
Summarise the key steps for applying conservation of energy and revisit the checklist. Ask students to write one exit‑ticket answer describing how they accounted for friction in a problem. Assign homework: three additional problems from the textbook covering both gravitational and elastic scenarios. Remind them to check units and reasonableness of their answers.