Download Energy - Griffin School District

Earth Science 2010-11
Main Themes in Earth Science:
Energy
Systems
Cycles
Change
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Energy occurs in several forms:
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Light
Heat
Motion: kinetic energy
Stored energy: potential energy
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Chemical potential energy: food, battery, gas,
wood, etc.
Mechanical potential energy: compressed spring
Gravitational potential energy
Electrical energy
Nuclear energy
Energy is the ability to do work
(to make something move)

Energy is constantly changing from one
form to another

example: a car changes chemical
potential energy into kinetic energy
(movement) and heat
Bill Nye Video: Energy
(complete this on a separate sheet of paper)
Describe 15 different kinds of energy conversions
that take place in the video.
For each one, tell how the energy was changed.
Example:
Burning candle: chemical energy is converted into
heat and light
A system is a set of individual parts
that work together to perform a task
or function

Each part has a unique role in making the
system work
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Remove any part, and the entire system
won’t work as well
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All systems need ENERGY to function
Systems convert energy from one form
to other forms
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Example: a car engine is a system that converts
chemical energy into motion and heat
Examples of Systems?
Circulatory
System
Electrical
System
Ventilation System
Ecosystem
Aquarium
And more systems . . .
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Nervous System (human or other animal)
Plumbing System (house)
Transportation System (state or country)
Operating System (computer)
Electrical System (car)
Solar System (astronomy)
Systems Assignment
Copy and complete on a separate page in
your notebook. Due tomorrow.
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Describe four systems that can be found here
at Griffin School
For each of the systems you have described:
1.
2.
3.
Name five parts of the system
Describe the energy source that “runs” the
system
Describe how the system changes the energy it
uses
Cycles

In nature, EVERYTHING is recycled (except
energy)
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Oxygen
Water
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Think about where all those water molecules have been
before they became a part of you . . .
Carbon
ALL “your” molecules came from somewhere
(or something) else
Examples of Cycles:
Oxygen Cycle
Water Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Nitrogen
Cycle
In Nature, the only constant is
Change
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Mountains erode
Stars evolve (our sun will be a red giant)
Continents move
Organisms grow and die
New species emerge
Lakes become meadows, meadows become
forests
 ecological succession