Energy Transformation
When a rubber band is stretched and released, what energy transformation occurs?
Elastic potential energy transforms into kinetic energy (with some energy released as sound and thermal energy).
Which type of wave requires a medium to travel?
Sound waves (mechanical waves).
What causes seasons on Earth?
The tilt of Earth’s axis.
During which moon phases do spring tides occur?
New moon and full moon.
Which sphere includes oceans and rivers?
Hydrosphere.
A lamp is plugged into an outlet and turned on. Identify two energy transformations that occur.
Electrical energy transforms into light energy and thermal energy.
How does increasing a wave’s amplitude affect its energy?
Greater amplitude means more energy.
Why do the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience opposite seasons?
When one hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, the other tilts away.
What alignment occurs during a spring tide?
The Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line.
List Earth’s layers from center to surface.
Inner core, outer core, mantle, crust.
A skateboarder starts at the top of a ramp and rolls down. Explain how energy changes during this motion.
Gravitational potential energy decreases as it transforms into kinetic energy. Some energy is also converted into thermal energy due to friction.
Compare particle movement in a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave.
In longitudinal waves, particles move parallel to wave direction. In transverse waves, particles move perpendicular to wave direction.
What would happen if Earth had no axial tilt?
There would be little to no seasonal change.
Why are neap tides lower than spring tides?
The Sun and Moon are at right angles, so their gravitational pulls partially cancel.
Compare the inner core and outer core.
Inner core is solid iron-nickel. Outer core is liquid iron-nickel.
Why can a roller coaster not return to its original height without additional energy input?
Some mechanical energy is transformed into thermal energy due to friction and air resistance, so total usable mechanical energy decreases.
Why can light travel through space but sound cannot?
Light is an electromagnetic wave and does not require a medium. Sound is a mechanical wave and requires a medium.
Why are seasons not caused by Earth being closer to the Sun?
Earth’s distance from the Sun changes very little. Seasons are caused by axial tilt, not distance.
If a coastal city experiences unusually high tides, what moon phase is most likely occurring?
Full moon or new moon (spring tide).
Explain how convection currents inside Earth affect the crust.
Convection currents in the mantle move tectonic plates, causing earthquakes and volcanoes.
Explain how the Law of Conservation of Energy applies to a microwave heating food.
Electrical energy is transformed into thermal energy and light energy. Energy is not created or destroyed — it changes form.
Two waves have equal frequency but different amplitudes. Analyze how their energy differs.
The wave with greater amplitude has more energy, even though frequency is the same.
Predict how seasons would change if Earth’s tilt increased to 40°.
Seasons would become more extreme — hotter summers and colder winters.
Compare gravitational forces during spring tides and neap tides.
Spring tides occur when gravitational forces combine, creating higher tidal ranges. Neap tides occur when forces partially cancel, creating lower tidal ranges.
Analyze how energy from Earth’s core influences surface processes.
Heat from the core drives mantle convection, which moves plates and causes volcanic activity and mountain building.