ENERGY Forms of Energy

ENERGY §In the next few minutes we will identify different forms of energy and will discuss heat transfer.

ENERGY §Energy is the ability to set something in motion, to make something move or work. When we eat, our bodies transform the food into energy to do work. When we run or walk, we “burn” food energy in our bodies.

ENERGY §All around us, energy is causing things to happen. Look out a window. If it’s daytime, the sun is giving out light and heat energy. If it’s nighttime, street lamps are using electrical energy to make light.

Energy §Energy makes everything happen. It is divided into two groups: Energy that is stored is called potential energy. If you place a pencil on a desk, it has the ability to fall a long way to the floor, that is called potential energy.

ENERGY §And Energy that is moving is called kinetic energy. If you push a pencil off the side of a desk and it drops to the floor, it is using kinetic energy.

ENERGY §A form of energy can be changed into another form of energy. For example, stored energy in a flashlight’s battery becomes light energy when turned on.

ENERGY §A television changes electrical energy into light and sound energy.

ENERGY §A toaster changes electrical energy into light and sound energy.

ENERGY §Heat energy is a form of energy. We use it to warm our houses and to cook our food.

ENERGY §Heat energy moves in three ways: §Conduction §Convection §Radiation

ENERGY §Conduction is when energy is passed from one item to another. When you stir a pan of soup on the stove with a metal spoon, the spoon will heat up.

ENERGY §Convection is the movement of gases or liquids from cooler spot to a warmer spot. In a pan of soup that is on the stove, the warmer soup moves up and the cooler soup moves down to take it’s place. This moves in a circular motion.

ENERGY §Radiation is the final movement of heat energy. The sun’s rays travel in straight lines called heat rays. When it moves like that, it is called radiation.

ENERGY §Electricity is another form of energy. Electricity is the conduction (flow) of energy from one place to another.

ENERGY §Batteries store chemical energy. An electric circuit connects the positive and negative poles of the battery and allows an electrical current to happen.

ENERGY §Geothermal Energy has been around since the world began. “Geo” means earth, and “thermal” means heat. So, geothermal means earth-heat.

ENERGY §There is heat below the crust of the earth. For every 100 meters you go below ground, the temperature of the rock increases about 3 degrees Celsius.

ENERGY §In some areas of the earth water seeps below ground and is heated by the hot rock. This is used to heat some buildings in the winter.

ENERGY §Sound is also considered an energy. When you listen to a piano playing, you hear the music. When someone talks to you, you hear the sounds.

ENERGY §What we have learned: §Energy is the ability to do work. §We use energy to do work. Energy lights our cities, powers our vehicles, warms our homes, cooks our food, plays our music, and powers machinery in our factories. §Energy takes on three main forms: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation.