Heat and Motion
A steam turbine in a power plant uses this sequence of energy changes.
What is thermal to mechanical to electrical energy?
A gasoline car engine uses this transformation to move the vehicle forward.
What is chemical energy to mechanical energy?
When you eat lunch and then sprint across the field, your body performs this transformation.
What is chemical energy to mechanical energy?
This energy transformation happens when a toaster browns your bread in the morning.
What is electrical energy to thermal energy?
A hydroelectric dam relies on this chain of energy changes as water falls and spins turbines.
What is gravitational to mechanical to electrical energy?
What type of energy transformation occurs when a microwave heats food?
Electrical energy is transformed into thermal energy.
When an electric scooter moves forward, what energy change is taking place?
Electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy.
What energy transformation occurs when you digest food and then walk?
Chemical energy from food becomes mechanical energy.
What energy change happens when a person eats food and then runs?
Chemical energy from the food is converted into mechanical energy.
What energy transformation occurs in solar panels?
Light energy is converted into electrical energy.
What energy transformation occurs when rubbing your hands together warms them?
Mechanical energy becomes thermal energy.
What transformation occurs when a train uses its brakes and the wheels heat up?
Mechanical energy is converted into thermal energy.
When your body shivers in the cold, what energy change is happening?
Chemical energy is converted into thermal energy.
What transformation takes place in a flashlight?
Chemical energy (from the battery) becomes electrical energy, then light energy.
What happens when a wind turbine spins?
Mechanical energy from the wind is transformed into electrical energy.
When a ball rolls down a hill, what energy change is happening?
Potential energy becomes kinetic energy.
How does a bicycle light powered by pedaling get its energy?
Mechanical energy from pedaling becomes electrical energy, then light energy.
What transformation happens when you speak or sing?
Chemical energy becomes mechanical energy (vocal cords vibrating) and sound energy.
How does a hydroelectric dam generate electricity
Gravitational potential energy of water becomes mechanical energy, then electrical energy.
What energy change occurs in a car engine using gasoline?
Chemical energy is converted into thermal and mechanical energy.
What transformation occurs when a metal spoon heats up in a pot of boiling water?
Thermal energy transfers from the water to the spoon.
What energy transformation happens when a car accelerates after you press the gas pedal?
Chemical energy in the fuel becomes mechanical energy.
How does your brain use energy to think?
Chemical energy is transformed into electrical energy used by nerve cells.
What energy transformation happens when you plug in your phone and it begins to charge?
Electrical energy is converted into chemical energy stored in the battery.
What transformation happens when you turn on a television?
Electrical energy becomes light and sound energy.