Energy Transformations
When you turn on a lamp, what type of energy transformation happens?
Electrical energy changes to light
What does it mean to transfer energy?
To move energy from one object to another
How does light travel?
In straight lines
What causes sound?
Vibrations
What type of energy do we see from the Sun?
Light energy
What is the energy transformation in a flashlight?
Chemical → Electrical → Light
also acceptable: Chemical → Mechanical → Electrical → Light
When you throw a ball, how is energy transferred?
(from what to what)
From your hand to the ball
What happens when light bounces off a mirror?
Reflection
What kind of circuit allows electricity to flow?
A complete (closed) circuit
What kind of energy do we hear when someone talks?
Sound energy
In a fan, what kind of energy transformation happens?
Electrical →Mechanical
What type of energy does a stretched rubber band have before it’s released?
Potential energy
What happens when light bends as it passes through water or glass?
Refraction
What happens if one part of a circuit is open or broken?
The electrical current stops flowing
What kind of energy happens when things move?
Mechanical energy
A toaster turns electrical energy into what kind of energy?
Thermal (heat) energy
When a roller coaster stops and then starts going down a hill, what energy transfer happens?
Potential energy changes to kinetic energy.
Which behavior of light causes a straw to look bent in a glass of water?
Refraction
A student builds a circuit with a battery, wires, and a light bulb. The light doesn’t turn on. List two possible reasons why the circuit isn’t working.
The circuit could be open (not complete), or one component like the bulb or wire might be broken or not connected properly.
What kind of energy do we feel from a heater?
Thermal (heat) energy
Fill in the blanks: Energy cannot be __________ or _____________, but can be ______________________
Fill in the blanks: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be transformed to another form
Explain how energy transfers between potential and kinetic energy when you swing back and forth on a playground swing.
At the top of the swing, energy is mostly potential. As the swing moves down, potential energy changes into kinetic energy. At the bottom, it’s mostly kinetic.
What happens to light when it is absorbed by a dark object?
Hint; think about why we would want to wear dark colors in the winter
It turns into heat
Give one example of how electrical energy can be transformed into sound, light, or motion.
Ex: In a radio (electrical → sound), in a lamp (electrical → light), or in a fan (electrical → motion)
A TV changes electrical energy into what two forms?
Sound and light energy