I just made a significant update for this video on
measuring work efficiency. To keep it low budget, I just included the option of
using a power drill for measurement
of work involving rotary motion. Since this option is barely described in the lab
manual I decided to include it in the video. Most of you who teach
environmental science may never use this activity because it seems more
appropriate for physics or engineering. Nonetheless, I always use this activity
when I teach environmental science because it is relatively easy to do and the
calculations are reasonable. Furthermore, students should learn first-hand how energy
conversion losses can be measured and minimized (in this case by choosing the
ideal mass or rotation speed). Hopefully this update will make this activity
more appealing because almost everyone has access to a power drill.
