OpenSciEd Unit 6.2 · Lesson 12
Look for: Not all particles in a sample of matter have…
MS-PS3-3MS-PS3-4Assessment opportunity · Formative assessment
From Teacher Edition
Facilitation guidance from the lesson plan — what to notice in student thinking and how to respond while teaching.
What to look / listen for
When analyzing students’ thinking and the evidence they use to support it, look for evidence of student understanding of the following concepts:
- Not all particles in a sample of matter have the same kinetic energy.
- Kinetic energy is transferred from one particle to another in a particle collision.
- Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a sample of matter.
- The total kinetic energy of a sample of matter is the sum of the kinetic energy of all the particles in that sample. If you add more particles to the sample, the total kinetic energy increases but the temperature (the average kinetic energy) might stay the same.
What to do
If students are struggling with applying their understanding of the transfer of energy that occurs when particles collide, they may need to revisit that idea by looking closely at the simulation, and playing it in slow motion. It is foundational to understanding how energy transfers between the liquid inside the cup system and the outside air.