Energy Transformations

Energy Transformations

Quick recap: what are the 7 main forms of energy?

Quick recap: what are the 7 main forms of energy?

• Chemical

• ​Sound

• Electrical

• Radiant/Light

• Mechanical

• Thermal

• Nuclear

Law of Conservation of Energy

The law states: Energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

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In other words...

Energy can only change its forms from one type to another.

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The energy of the world is constant because of the total amount of energy does not change.

The process of energy changing forms is called Energy transformations

You may also hear it referred to as Energy conversions

Energy Transformations can be multi-stepped.

Ex: Hairdryer

Electrical (plugging it in) --> Mechanical (spinning of the fan)--> Heat (hot air)

Let's look at a flashlight

• It runs on batteries (chemical energy)

• When it turns on, it's changed from chemical into electrical

• Then, it is transformed into light energy.

Why?

Chemical --> Heat --> Mechanical

Name the conversions

Name the conversions

Electrical --> Mechanical --> Heat

Name the conversions

Name the conversions

Electrical --> Thermal

Name the transformation

Name the transformation

Kinetic --> Mechanical --> Electrical

Some helpful hints

• If you have to plug it in ........ conversions likely starts with electricity

• If it is battery powered..... first 2 steps are chemical --> electrical

• If it produces electricity......... last step is likely electrical