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Energy Transformations
Force, Motion, and Energy
Energy Transformations
Background
Energy measures the ability to cause change within a system. Energy can
cause matter to change position, speed, or state. An underlying principle of
our understanding of force, motion, and energy is the Law of Conservation of
Energy which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it just
changes form. Energy transformations within systems demonstrate the Law
of Conservation of Energy regularly in our lives.
When energy flow occurs in a system, measureable changes to parts of the system may occur
such as speeding up, slowing down and getting warmer or cooler. The total amount of energy
within the system remains the same yet the forms of energy can change. A flashlight demonstrates
energy transformation when the energy in a battery changes from chemical energy to electrical
energy to light energy. A windmill demonstrates energy transformation when the kinetic energy of
wind turns the blades changing to mechanical energy, which is changed to electrical energy by the
generator it powers.
Forms of Energy
Recall that potential energy is the stored energy of position as compared to its usual position
(Examples: consider the base of a slide the usual position and a child at the top of the slide with
potential energy due to position, OR consider an undrawn bow the usual position and the drawn
bow with potential energy due to the position of the bowstring.) Kinetic energy is energy that is in
motion (happening).
Type of
Energy
Description
Examples
Mechanical
Energy
The energy of motion or the ability to do motion that
can be categorized into the forms of potential and
kinetic energy.
A runaway skateboard,
pedaling a bicycle,
chewing food, water
rushing through a dam
Radiant
Energy
Light energy that can be categorized as a form of
kinetic energy. It includes all electromagnetic waves,
a great range of wavelengths of different energies
including radio waves, microwaves, visible light, and
x-rays. It can travel through empty space, air, or even
solid substances.
Light bulbs, burning
candles, the light from
the Sun
Please continue to the next page.
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Energy Transformations
Force, Motion, and Energy
Background, continued
Type of
Energy
Description
Examples
Sound
Energy
The energy of vibrating particles that produces
sound that can be categorized as kinetic energy.
It requires a medium (air, water or solids) in
order to travel. Sound waves travel slower than
light waves.
Your voice, whistles, whale
calls, the rattle of a train
passing on a track Chemical
Energy
The energy from reactions in chemical
compounds that can be categorized as potential
energy.
Food, fossil fuels
(petroleum, coal, natural
gas), plants, batteries
Electrical
Energy
The flow of charged particles through a
conductor that can be categorized
as kinetic energy.
Electrical power generators,
static (the type that makes
your hair stand on end)
Nuclear
Energy
The energy stored within the matter itself that
can be classified as a form of potential energy.
Atomic bomb, Nuclear
Power Plants (break the
bonds of uranium to create
electricity and heat) fusion
in stars
Thermal
Energy
The energy related to the temperature of a
substance that can be categorized as kinetic
energy. Thermal energy is a result of tiny
particles of matter that move (kinetic). The faster
the movement, the warmer the matter. All matter
has thermal energy and although we can’t see
the motion we can feel or see its effects.
A fire, a hot stove, and a
pizza just removed from the
oven
SOURCE:
Thermal Energy, Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://www.energyeducation.tx.gov/
Answer the background questions in the Student Journal.
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Energy Transformations
Force, Motion, and Energy
Background, continued
The Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed it just
changes form.
That energy can be demonstrated, observed and
measured in a system can be stated because of the Law
of Conservation of Energy. Contributions of many
scientists over time and new discoveries about different
forms of energy have all supported the current
acceptance of the Law of Conservation of Energy by the
scientific community.
An energy transformation is the change of energy from one form to another. Energy in different
parts of a system can increase and decrease, but the total amount of energy stays the same.
During transformation, energy can transfer from place to place, yet total energy remains the same
because there is a decrease in the available energy in the energy source and an increase in
available energy in the energy receiver.
Complete the background questions in your Student Journal.
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Energy Transformations
Force, Motion, and Energy
Part I: Plan Your Investigation
You will complete an investigation to describe the energy transformations at seven stations.
Question of Inquiry:
With your class and teacher, discuss the Question of Inquiry and list the materials that you will
need to conduct your investigation.
Safety Precautions:
At stations: Carefully remove and insert electrical plugs in the outlets by grasping the plugs, not the
cords. Make sure your hands are completely dry before touching the plugs. Keep electrical
appliances away from water and water sources. Do not touch the light bulb with the spiral paper or
your body, it is very hot and can cause severe burns.
Procedure:
You will follow the instructions at seven stations to implement your investigation in Part II.
Complete Part I in your Student Journal.
Part II: Implement Your Investigation
Procedure:
1.  At each station, follow the directions and record your observations in the Energy Transformation
Observation data table in your Student Journal.
2.  Complete the analysis questions in your Student Journal after you have completed the seven
stations.
Station Procedures:
Hairdryer
1.  Carefully plug the hairdryer into the electrical outlet.
2.  Turn the hairdryer on.
3.  What is the energy source in this system? What is the energy form of the source?
4.  What is the energy receiver in this system? What transformation of energy can be observed?
What is your evidence that energy has been transformed?
5.  Turn the hairdryer off and unplug it.
Complete Part I in your Student Journal.
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Energy Transformations
Force, Motion, and Energy
Part II: Implement Your Investigation, continued
Station Procedures, continued
Battery Powered Fan
1.  Place the battery/batteries inside the fan and replace the battery cover. Turn on the fan.
2.  What is the energy source in this system? What is the energy form of the source?
3.  What is the energy receiver in this system? What transformation of energy can be observed?
What is your evidence that energy has been transformed?
4.  Turn the fan off and take the batteries out of the fan.
Lamp
1.  Plug in the lamp and turn it on.
2.  What is the energy source in this system? What is the energy form of the source?
3.  What is the energy receiver in this system? What transformation of energy can be observed?
What is your evidence that energy has been transformed?
4.  Turn the lamp switch off and unplug the lamp.
Solar Powered Calculator
1.  Turn the calculator on. Cover the solar panel with your hand and observe what happens to the
display. Remove your hand from the panel and observe the display.
2.  What is the energy source in this system? What is the energy form of the source?
3.  What is the energy receiver in this system? What transformation of energy can be observed?
What is your evidence that energy has been transformed?
4.  Turn the calculator off.
Continue to the next page.
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Energy Transformations
Force, Motion, and Energy
Part II: Implement Your Investigation, continued
Station Procedures, continued
Crumpling Paper
1.  Use your hands to crumple the piece of butcher paper.
2.  What is the energy source in this system? What is the energy form of the source?
3.  What is the energy receiver in this system? What transformation of energy can be observed?
What is your evidence that energy has been transformed?
4.  Place the paper in the recycle bin.
Paper Spiral
1.  Carefully plug the lamp into the electrical outlet and turn the lamp on.
2.  Pick up the paper spiral by the end of the string and hold it 30 cm above the light bulb for 2
minutes. Be very careful to not touch the light bulb with the paper or your body.
3.  What is the energy source in this system? What is the energy form of the source?
4.  What is the energy receiver in this system? What transformation of energy can be observed?
What is your evidence that energy has been transformed?
Complete Part II and the Reflections and Conclusions in your Student Journal.
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Energy Transformations
Force, Motion, and Energy
Part II: Implement Your Investigation, continued
Station Procedures, continued
Two Diagrams of Natural Settings
1.  Diagram #1: Observe the first illustration set of sunlight being transferred to a plant and then
the plant shown again after time passes.
2.  What is the energy source in the Diagram #1 system? What is the energy form of the source?
3.  What is the energy receiver in the Diagram #1 system? What transformation of energy can be
observed? What is your evidence that energy has been transformed?
4.  Diagram #2: Observe the second illustration set of the deer eating the plant and then the deer
shown again running.
5.  What is the energy source in the Diagram #2 system? What is the energy form of the source?
6.  What is the energy receiver in this Diagram #2 system? What transformation of energy can be
observed? What is your evidence that energy has been transformed?
Complete Part II and the Reflections and Conclusions in your Student Journal.
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