Laws of Thermodynamics Phenomena-Based Lesson: The Engine That Claimed to Beat Carnot Presentation | Physics II | Grades 9–12

This is the student-facing slide presentation that introduces the phenomenon, walks the class through observations and driving questions, and frames the evidence students will use for the Phenomena-Based Lesson in the Physics II (grades 9–12) chapter Laws of Thermodynamics, built around the phenomenon The Engine That Claimed to Beat Carnot. It is sold separately from the other two parts of the set.

Complete the set: Laws of Thermodynamics Phenomena-Based Lesson: The Engine That Claimed to Beat Carnot Teacher Discussion Guide; Laws of Thermodynamics Phenomena-Based Lesson: The Engine That Claimed to Beat Carnot Student Response Sheet. Scaffolded version: Laws of Thermodynamics Scaffolded Phenomena-Based Lesson: The Engine That Claimed to Beat Carnot Presentation.

Sections: Standards Alignment; Learning Goals; The Case - Read First; The Record - Dated Observations; How To Run The Discussion; Talk Moves For The Teacher; The Record; Word Bank. Sample item: “2. From the October 13, 2026 readings, compute the work of leg C to D and explain the minus sign. Why do legs B to C and D to A do no work at all?”

What's inside: Student Slide Show (editable .pptx + PDF, 10 slides).

Standards: NGSS High School Physical Science (HS-PS) disciplinary core ideas and the science practices of analyzing data and constructing explanations.

Resource type: Phenomena-Based Lesson – Presentation. Format: editable Microsoft PowerPoint file plus a ready-to-print PDF.

Classroom use: Open with the phenomenon slide show, let students record ideas on the response sheet, and lead the discussion with the teacher guide. Built for Physics II, grades 9–12.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.