Energy

Energy

The simplest definition of energy is "the ability to do work". Energy is how things change and move. It's everywhere around us and takes all sorts of forms. It takes energy to cook food, to drive to school, and to jump in the air.

Your goal:

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to name the 5 forms of energy.

You should be able to tell that energy is not created or used up but simply becomes a different form of energy.

You should be able to identify examples of each form of energy or name which form of energy is being displayed.

Forms of Energy

The acronym, M.E.L.T.S., helps us remember 5 forms of energy. The forms of energy that we will explore are mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, and sound.

Important things to remember about energy:

• energy is all around us every day

• we use energy to move, speak, and play

• energy is not created or used up

• energy just changes into a different form of energy

• the things we use every day like toys, cars, stoves, and electronics use energy and produce energy

Multiple Choice

True or False? Energy can be created.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True or False? Energy gets used up.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What happens to energy when we use it?

• Energy gets all used up.

• It changes to another form.

• Energy disappears completely.

Multiple Choice

Energy is the ability to ____________.

• light a bulb

• climb the stairs

• do work

Multiple Choice

Which acronym (letters) help us remember the 5 forms of energy?

• M.I.L.K.

• M.E.T.A.L.

• M.E.L.T.S.

Multiple Select

Click on each word that names one of the 5 forms of energy.

• sound

• vibration

• light

• jumping

Multiple Select

Click on each word that names one of the 5 forms of energy.

• radiation

• mechanical

• thermal

• water

Multiple Select

Click on each word that names one of the 5 forms of energy.

• light

• electrical

• battery

• thermal

Mechanical Energy

Mechanical energy is a form of energy. It is all the energy that an object has because of its motion and its position. All living things and all machines use mechanical energy to do work.

Remember: Mechanical energy requires something to be in motion.

Multiple Select

Which of these are examples of mechanical energy?

Electrical Energy or Electricity

Electrical energy is moving energy. It is the flow of tiny particles called electrons and protons. Electrical energy can be seen in nature in a bolt of lightning, which is a large number of electrons flowing through air all at once.

Multiple Select

Which of these are examples of electrical energy?

Multiple Choice

Electrical energy is the flow of tiny particles called ______.

• atoms and molecules

• raisins and nuts

• electrons and protons

• water and ice

Light Energy

Light is a form of energy which our sense of sight can detect. It is made of tiny particles of electro-magnetic radiation and travels in waves in a straight path.

Multiple Choice

Is this natural or artifical light?

• natural

• artificial

Multiple Choice

Is this natural or artificial light?

• natural

• artificial

Multiple Choice

Is this natural or artificial light?

• natural

• artificial

Multiple Choice

Is this natural or artificial light?

• natural

• artificial

Multiple Choice

Is this natural or artificial light?

• natural

• artificial

Multiple Choice

Is this natural or artificial light?

• natural

• artificial

Multiple Choice

Is this natural or artificial light?

• natural

• artificial

Multiple Choice

Is this natural or artificial light?

• natural

• artificial

Thermal Energy (Heat Energy)

Thermal energy (also called heat energy) is produced when a rise in temperature causes atoms and molecules to move faster and collide with each other. The energy that comes from the temperature of the heated substance is called thermal energy.

Multiple Select

Click on examples of heat energy.

Multiple Select

Click on examples of thermal (heat) energy.

Multiple Choice

Thermal (heat) energy comes from the ______ of a heated substance.

• radiation

• temperature

• thermometer

Sound Energy

Sound is energy that we can hear. It is a type of kinetic energy that is made from the vibration of matter. Sound moves from the source of its vibration through other matter, like air or water. Depending on how the sound moves or the type of vibrations that made it, sound can be loud or soft, high or low, or distorted.

Multiple Choice

An important part of the way sound energy travels is _______.

• volume

• violin

• vibration

Multiple Select

Click on examples of sound energy.

Multiple Select

Click on examples of sound energy.

Multiple Choice

What form of energy is this an example of?

• mechanical

• electrical

• light

• thermal (heat)

• sound

Multiple Choice

What form of energy is this an example of?

• mechanical

• electrical

• light

• thermal (heat)

• sound

Multiple Choice

What form of energy is this an example of?

• mechanical

• electrical

• light

• thermal (heat)

• sound

Multiple Choice

What form of energy is this an example of?

• mechanical

• electrical

• light

• thermal (heat)

• sound

Multiple Choice

Which form of energy is this an example of:

• mechanical

• electrical

• light

• thermal (heat)

• sound

Poll

How much do you feel you know about energy?

• I am ready for 70% or better!

• I think I need to do some experiments first.

• I am so confused right now.

• M.E.L.T.S. is really helping me remember.