Download Forms of energy Energy is the ability to make changes occur. The

Forms of energy
Energy is the ability to make changes occur. The change can be in an object’s position,
shape, or speed. Every time anything moves – the wind, water, cars, clocks, animals, and
more – energy is what makes it happen.
It takes energy for your remote control cars, IPods, video games, and computers to work.
It takes energy for people, plants, and animals to grow. It takes energy to cook a meal or
read a book.
There are two basic types of energy - potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential
energy is energy that is stored and waiting to be used. Batteries in a package are an
example of potential energy because the energy is stored inside, waiting to be used.
Kinetic energy is energy in action, such as running or playing X-box or walking down the
hallway.
Energy can also come in different forms:
Electrical energy: This form of energy is created by electricity. This involves electrons
moving through a wire to create electricity. Electrical energy is used by lamps, vacuum
cleaners, or radios.
Sound energy: All sounds and noises are forms of energy. Sound travels in waves that
vibrate through the air. This movement is a form of energy.
Light energy: Light energy is a form of energy that also travels in waves from its
source. The light waves can come from the sun, a flashlight, or a TV screen. This is also
known as radiant energy.
Chemical energy: This is energy stored in the bonds between chemicals and molecules.
Batteries and plants contain this form of energy. Our bodies use chemical energy to
convert food into energy that we can use to run, walk and write. Chemical energy is
released during a chemical reaction.
Heat energy: Heat energy is produced from the vibration or movement of molecules.
This is also known as thermal energy. Temperature measures the kinetic energy or heat
energy of the objects. The faster the molecules are moving, the more heat energy the
object has.
Mechanical energy: This form of energy results from the movement of objects or
something that has moving parts. A ceiling fan spinning around is an example of
mechanical energy. When you run and your arms and legs are moving, that is mechanical
energy.
Energy can change from one form to another. This is called an energy transformation.
For example, burning a log changes chemical energy in the wood into light and heat
energy. During photosynthesis, plants use light energy from the Sun to make chemical
energy. When a candle is burned, the chemical energy in the candle is transformed into
light and heat energy. Another example is a lawn mower. A lawn mower uses chemical
energy from gasoline to spin the blade inside which is mechanical energy.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only change form. When energy changes
from one form to another, only the form of energy changes, the total amount of energy
does not change. The same amount of energy is present before and after the energy
transformation.
1. What is a definition of energy? ________________________________________
2. What are the 2 basic types of energy? __________________________________
3. Give an example of
Potential energy _____________________________________________
Kinetic energy ______________________________________________
4. What is another name for heat energy? __________________________
5. What forms of energy travel in waves? ________________________________
6. What form of energy involves the movement of electrons? ____________________
7. The blades of a pencil sharpener spinning around is an example of what form of
energy? ___________________________
8. What is the term for energy changing from one form to another?
_____________________________
9. When energy changes form, what happens to the total amount of energy – increase,
decrease, or stay the same? _____________________________________
10. When a television is turned on, it uses _________________________ energy to
create _______________________ and ________________________ energy.
11. Plants transform _________________________ energy from the Sun into
_______________________________ energy that is stored as food in their cells.
12. What is an example of something that produces heat energy? _________________