the basic
simple system
Multi-Step
Nuclear & Power
100

The type of energy stored in a battery.


What is Chemical Energy

100

The transformation in a toaster.

Electrical → Thermal

100

Transformation in a battery-powered flashlight.

Chemical → Electrical → Radiant

100

The type of energy found in the nucleus of an atom.

Nuclear Energy

200

The law that states energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Law of Conservation of Energy

200

 The transformation when a person speaks into a microphone.


Sound → Electrical

200

Transformation in a gasoline-powered car driving down the road.

Chemical → Thermal → Mechanical

200

The primary energy source for the entire Earth.

The Sun (Nuclear/Radiant

300

This type of energy is the sum of an object's potential and kinetic energy.

Mechanical Energy

300

The transformation when a plant makes its own food from sunlight.

Radiant (Light) → Chemical

300

Transformation in a hand-cranked radio playing music.

Mechanical → Electrical → Sound

300

The first energy transformation step inside a nuclear power plant.

Nuclear → Thermal

400

Energy that moves through wires to power your phone

Electrical Energy

400

The transformation in a solar panel on a calculator.

Radiant → Electrical

400

Transformation in a wind turbine providing power to a house.

Mechanical → Electrical → (Various, e.g., Thermal/Radiant)

400

The device in a power plant that turns mechanical motion into electricity.


a Generator

500

The energy of motion

Kinetic Energy

500

The transformation that occurs when you rub your hands together.


Mechanical (Kinetic) → Thermal

500

Transformation in a human eating an apple and then jumping.

Chemical → Mechanical

500

The full chain of a nuclear power plant: Nuclear → Thermal → ___ → Electrical.


Mechanical