Students are introduced to the concepts of speed and acceleration for linear motion, as well as being introduced to battery-powered transportation. They will be placed into groups of two to four students and asked to do basic research for performance data taken from a selection of resources. Data will then be used to introduce some of the basic uniform motion and acceleration concepts used in this course.
The students will then build a pre-designed model of a very basic electric car, and perform basic time-distance measurements on its movement. Following this, the student inquiry will be to build and study a basic model electric vehicle that they will analyze graphically and mathematically, determining kinematic, dynamic, energy and electrical parameters. They will then use this information to calculate kinetic energy, power and electrical energy used. Energy transformation will also be studied using batteries and a multimeter. From this data they will calculate efficiency and determine an approximate value for the force of friction in the entire drive system.
Other Resources:
http://www.nedra.com/records-sp.html
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/13/electric-cars-are-not-the-solution-pollutionwatch
https://www.energy.gov/eere/electricvehicles/electric-vehicle-benefits