LESSON 2: How Does Driving Behavior Affect Fuel Efficiency?Time: Two 45-minute periods
Download the Full Lesson Plan(PDF) 232KB
Lesson Overview
Students use bicycle gears and other hands-on investigations to discover how driving habits can affect fuel efficiency. They explore the concepts of drag and power and apply these concepts to driving habits that waste fuel. Students will learn why driving faster uses more fuel, what effect 'jackrabbit starts' have on fuel consumption, and how flat tires can waste energy.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:- Identify common driver behaviors that lead to wasted fuel and increased exhaust emissions.
- Describe why speeding up quickly from a stop wastes fuel.
- Describe why flat tires create more friction with the road than inflated tires.
Lesson Essential Questions
1. How can individuals reduce automotive fuel consumption?
2. How do gear ratios determine the fuel economy of a car?
3. What is the relationship between friction and fuel economy?
