Energy Basics
What is energy?
The ability to make things happen or cause change.
What does it mean when energy is transferred?
Energy moves from one object or place to another.
What is an energy conversion?
When energy changes from one form to another.
What is a system?
A group of parts that work together.
A light bulb turns on. Is this evidence that energy is present?
Yes.
Name one form of energy.
Light, thermal (heat), electrical, sound, motion/kinetic, etc.
You kick a soccer ball and it begins moving. Energy was transferred from what to what?
From your body/foot to the soccer ball.
A flashlight changes electrical energy into what form of energy?
Light energy.
Name one device that needs energy to work.
Answers vary: phone, lamp, computer, fan, television, etc.
Which is an example of energy transfer:
A. A lamp producing light
B. A moving ball hitting another ball and making it move
C. A toaster turning electrical energy into heat
B
A moving object has what kind of energy?
Motion (kinetic) energy.
A hot pan heats the food inside it. What is being transferred?
Thermal/heat energy.
A fan converts electrical energy mainly into what?
Motion (kinetic) energy.
What is the source of energy for a battery-powered flashlight?
The battery.
Which is an example of energy conversion:
A. One moving ball hits another moving ball
B. Heat moves from a hot pan to food
C. Electrical energy makes a light bulb glow
C
What are the input and output energies of a toaster?
Input: Electrical energy
Output: Thermal energy
A moving bowling ball hits a pin and the pin moves. Explain the energy transfer.
Energy transfers from the moving bowling ball to the pin.
A speaker uses electrical energy and produces what form of energy?
Sound energy.
Ms. Torres uses a laminator for some class decorations. She plugged into an outlet and it starts warming up. What is the input/output energy
Input: Electrical energy
Output: Thermal energy
Mr. DeCambre says, “The energy disappeared when the toy car stopped.” Is Mr. DeCambre correct? Explain.
No. Energy does not simply disappear; it transfers or converts into other forms, such as thermal or sound energy.
Give an example of evidence that an object has energy.
Answer: It moves, produces light, makes sound, heats something, or causes another change.
When energy transfers, it must always change into a different form.
False. Energy can transfer without changing form.
A battery-powered toy car begins moving. Describe the energy conversion.
Stored/chemical energy in the battery → electrical energy → motion energy.
Why do scientists identify the parts of a system when studying energy?
It helps them understand where energy comes from and how it transfers or converts within the system.
A student turns on a battery-powered flashlight. Describe an energy conversion AND transfer that occurs in the system.
Energy stored in the battery is converted into electrical energy and then light energy. The light energy transfers from the flashlight to the surroundings.