What students learn in AC9S9U05
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system efficiency in terms of energy inputs, outputs, transfers and transformations.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- explaining that the law of conservation of energy explains that total energy is maintained in energy transfer and transformation in a system explaining efficiency and recognising that in energy transfer and transformation a variety of processes can occur, so that the amount of usable energy is reduced and the system is not 100% efficient
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system efficiency in terms of energy inputs, outputs, transfers and transformations
- E1: explaining that the law of conservation of energy explains that total energy is maintained in energy transfer and transformation in a system
- E2: explaining efficiency and recognising that in energy transfer and transformation a variety of processes can occur, so that the amount of usable energy is reduced and the system is not 100% efficient
- E3: using and critiquing representations such as Sankey diagrams to show energy inputs, changes and outputs in a system
- E4: investigating the efficiency of ground ovens used by First Nations Australians (teaching context)
- E5: comparing the efficiency of electricity generation from coal and other sources such as nuclear, hydroelectricity, gas, solar and wind
- E6: examining the meaning of energy star ratings given to appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines and criteria used to determine these ratings
- E7: examining how improving efficiency in energy transfer and transformations in sporting activities such as pole vaulting or archery improves athletic performance
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9S9U05 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Describing what is seen without connecting it to a question, pattern or prediction.
- Using everyday words only and missing simple scientific vocabulary.
- Changing more than one thing in an investigation, which makes the comparison unfair.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9S9U05 — apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system efficiency in terms of energy inputs, outputs, transfers and transformations |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 9 Science: closest match in Physical sciences. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 5 Science: closest content focus for Apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 9 NGSS science closest topic match for Apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 3 / Year 9: closest programme-of-study match for Apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 9 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 5 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for Apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 9 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system.... |