Download Tracing Energy Conversions

Energy Conversions
Energy Conversions
• Potential Energy: The energy an object has
due to its position
• Kinetic Energy: The energy an object has
because of its motion
Here’s a song that will help us
learn the difference between
the two…
Energy Conversions
• Which picture shows balloons with high
kinetic energy?
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=deflated+balloons&view=detail&id=D52F00C1048DEA41FF3D593A8902A771277C4D3C&first=36
Energy Conversions
At letter “W” does the roller coaster car have high
potential energy or high kinetic energy?
Energy Conversions
At letter “X” does the roller coaster car have high
potential energy or high kinetic energy?
Energy Conversions
• You may have noticed that energy can be
converted from potential to kinetic and back
again.
High potential
energy
High kinetic
energy
Medium
potential
energy
Bill Nye explains kinetic and
potential energy…
Energy Conversions
• There are other types of energy beside
potential and kinetic:
•Light
•Chemical
•Sound
•Radiation
•Mechanical
•Electrical
•Heat
Energy Conversions
• Each type of energy can be converted into
another form through various processes:
Light energy
Chemical energy
Light energy
Chemical energy
The process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS converts
light energy from the sun into chemical
energy that the plant stores as sugar.
Chemical energy
Mechanical energy
The chemical energy stored in food, like
corn, is converted into mechanical energy
when we digest it. We use the mechanical
energy to perform life functions.
Energy Conversions
• All forms of energy on Earth can be traced
back to the sun.
This hamburger is full of chemical energy
Energy Conversions
The chemical energy stored in the hamburger
came from the food the cow ate.
Energy Conversions
The cow used mechanical energy to chew the hay
that was produced through photosynthesis
Energy Conversions
Photosynthesis is the process of making food
using energy from light energy.
Energy Conversions
Light
Energy
Chemical
Energy
Mechanical
Energy
Chemical
Energy
Energy Conversions
• Let’s Summarize:
– Potential energy is energy that is stored in
an object
– Kinetic energy is energy that comes from
motion
– Energy can be converted from potential to
kinetic and back again
– All energy on earth can be traced back to
the sun