Science Probe II Technology Activities

Chapter 5

Internet

Conduct an Internet search to find out how power companies in your region are encouraging their customers (commercial, industrial, and household) to conserve electricity. Compile a list of the conservation measures and incentives the power companies are using. Prepare a multimedia presentation to inform your classmates of what you have learned. During the presentation, take a survey of your classmates to see how many of their families are taking advantage of these incentives. Below is a web site to get you started:

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. Residential Solutions http://www.pgees.com/business/index.html

Application Software

Activity 5A – Use a word processing program to set up the three-column table as directed in this activity. As you read the sections, take your notes on the computer. Transfer your notes to a presentation program, and share with classmates the third column, What I Learned about the Object. Print the document, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook.

Activity 5B – Use a spreadsheet program to make the data table as directed in this activity. Record the data in the spreadsheet as you perform the activity. Use the mathematical functions of the spreadsheet to do the calculations for finding your weight (in N), the work (in joules), and the power (in j/s). You might like to gather fellow students’ data from this activity and place them into the spreadsheet data table as well. Print the final spreadsheet data table, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions.

Activity 5C – Use a spreadsheet program to make the data table as directed in this activity. Record the data in the spreadsheet as you perform the activity. Use the mathematical functions of the spreadsheet to do the calculations for finding Energy consumed this day (in kWh) and Energy consumed to date (in kWh). You might like to gather fellow students’ data from this activity and place them into the spreadsheet data table as well. Print the final spreadsheet data table, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions.