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Standard Area - TECH: Learning Standards for Technology
(see MST standards under Previous Standard Versions)-
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Introduction - MST4.C.P.4.Introduction:
The law of conservation of energy provides one of the basic keys to understanding the universe. The fundamental tenet of this law is that the total mass-energy of the universe is constant; however, energy can be transferred in many ways. Historically, scientists have treated the law of conservation of matter and energy separately. All energy can be classified as either kinetic or potential. When work is done on or by a system, the energy of the system changes. This relationship is known as the work-energy theorem.
Energy may be transferred by matter or by waves. Waves transfer energy without transferring mass. Most of the information scientists gather about the universe is derived by detecting and analyzing waves. This process has been enhanced through the use of digital analysis. Types of waves include mechanical and electromagnetic. All waves have the same characteristics and exhibit certain behaviors, subject to the constraints of conservation of energy.
Note: The use of e.g. denotes examples which may be used for in-depth study. The terms for example and such as denote material which is testable. Items in parentheses denote further definition of the word(s) preceding the item and are testable.
Note: Items with *asterisks* require quantitative treatment per the Reference Table for Physics. Asterisks following individual words refer to the preceding word or phrase only; asterisks appearing after the final period of a sentence refer to all concepts or ideas presented in the sentence.
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Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1a:
All energy transfers are governed by the law of conservation of energy.* -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1b:
Energy may be converted among mechanical, electromagnetic, nuclear, and thermal forms. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1c:
Potential energy is the energy an object possesses by virtue of its position or condition. Types of potential energy include gravitational* and elastic*. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1d:
Kinetic energy* is the energy an object possesses by virtue of its motion. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1e:
In an ideal mechanical system, the sum of the macroscopic kinetic and potential energies (mechanical energy) is constant.* -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1f:
In a non-ideal mechanical system, as mechanical energy decreases there is a corresponding increase in other energies such as internal energy.* -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1g:
When work* is done on or by a system, there is a change in the total energy* of the system. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1h:
Work done against friction results in an increase in the internal energy of the system. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1i:
Power* is the time-rate at which work is done or energy is expended. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1j:
Energy may be stored in electric* or magnetic fields. This energy may be transferred through conductors or space and may be converted to other forms of energy. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1k:
Moving electric charges produce magnetic fields. The relative motion between a conductor and a magnetic field may produce a potential difference in the conductor. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1l:
All materials display a range of conductivity. At constant temperature, common metallic conductors obey Ohm’s Law*. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1m:
The factors affecting resistance in a conductor are length, cross-sectional area, temperature, and resistivity.* -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1n:
A circuit is a closed path in which a current* can exist. (Note: Use conventional current.) -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1o:
Circuit components may be connected in series* or in parallel*. Schematic diagrams are used to represent circuits and circuit elements. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.1p:
Electrical power* and energy* can be determined for electric circuits.
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Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3a:
An oscillating system produces waves. The nature of the system determines the type of wave produced. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3b:
Waves carry energy and information without transferring mass. This energy may be carried by pulses or periodic waves. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3c:
The model of a wave incorporates the characteristics of amplitude, wavelength,* frequency*, period*, wave speed*, and phase. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3d:
Mechanical waves require a material medium through which to travel. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3e:
Waves are categorized by the direction in which particles in a medium vibrate about an equilibrium position relative to the direction of propagation of the wave, such as transverse and longitudinal waves. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3f:
Resonance occurs when energy is transferred to a system at its natural frequency. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3g:
Electromagnetic radiation exhibits wave characteristics. Electromagnetic waves can propagate through a vacuum. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3h:
When a wave strikes a boundary between two media, reflection*, transmission, and absorption occur. A transmitted wave may be refracted. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3i:
When a wave moves from one medium into another, the wave may refract due to a change in speed. The angle of refraction (measured with respect to the normal) depends on the angle of incidence and the properties of the media (indices of refraction).* -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3j:
The absolute index of refraction is inversely proportional to the speed of a wave.* -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3k:
All frequencies of electromagnetic radiation travel at the same speed in a vacuum.* -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3l:
Diffraction occurs when waves pass by obstacles or through openings. The wavelength of the incident wave and the size of the obstacle or opening affect how the wave spreads out. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3m:
When waves of a similar nature meet, the resulting interference may be explained using the principle of superposition. Standing waves are a special case of interference. -
Major Understandings - MST4.C.P.4.3n:
When a wave source and an observer are in relative motion, the observed frequency of the waves traveling between them is shifted (Doppler effect).
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