1. Energy Transformations -form to form
Also called energy conversion

2. Reminder of the FORMS of energy (you don't need to rewrite these)
Mechanical - total amount of stored and moving energy (kinetic + potential). When something is moving or could move.
Radiant - light energy; energy that moves in waves. Includes rays and waves.
Chemical - energy stored in bonds that hold molecules together. Examples - food digesting, anything that is burned.
Electrical - energy from moving electrons. If it has a battery or has to be plugged in, it's using electrical energy.

3. forms of energy continued..
Nuclear - energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. Two types - fission - a nucleus is split apart; fusion - two nuclei are fused together.
Thermal - heat energy. Most machines create it. Our bodies create it and give it off. Heat energy is the reason for most energy inefficiency that you hear about. Friction (or just living) creates heat which frequently escapes into the atmosphere.

4. One more IMPORTANT definition!(You DO need to write this!)
Energy Efficiency -Percentage of total energy input to a machine or equipment that is consumed in useful work and not wasted as useless heat.
This is one of the things we are looking for when comparing our toys and Santa's. What are the energy transformations and how energy efficient are they?

5. So what is transformation? (keep writing!)
Most times, when people think that energy has been "lost" it has actually just changed to another form.
Examples:
Heater - transforms electrical energy into thermal energy.
Battery - transforms chemical energy into electrical energy. (Remember this one! You will use it a lot!)

6. How do we write the energy equations for energy transformation?
Energy equations are written showing the flow of energy from one type to another (kind of like when you write a food chain).
Examples:
Windmill: mechanical to electrical
- or m e
Flower: chemical (photosynthesis) to mechanical
- or c m
Refrigerator: electrical to thermal
- or e t

7. Some transformations involve 3 (or more!) steps!
Flashlight: chemical to electrical to radiant
- or c e r
Athlete: (or any animal): chemical to mechanical to thermal
- or c m t
sun: nuclear to radiant & thermal (happen close together)
- or n r & t
Firecracker: chemical to mechanical & radiant & thermal
(sound is classified as mechanical because it is just vibrating air molcules)
- or c m & r & t

8. OK - now your turn! Write these transformations: Toy radio-
Glow stick-
Hand warmer-

9. Have fun! Now you are ready!!
Now you and your EEElves group will trace the energy transformations of several of Santa's toys by yourselves. How are these toys changing the energy that they start with? Two of the toys you will be working with are two that we are redesigning for our new (and improved!) workshop. Think about the energy transformation and efficiency!
Have fun!