Energy Flow

Energy Flow

By Armando Soto

Watch this commercial for a flameless heater used to cook food. Think about how you think this might work.

​

Flameless Heater

Open Ended

Observe the video. What could be occurring inside the device to release thermal energy for cooking?

• A system can have inputs and outputs, which can be matter, energy, or information.

• Matter or energy cannot be created or destroyed.

• Instead, matter and energy can only be transformed into new forms or move in or out of the system.

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Energy Flow in Systems

There are many different types of energy that can be involved in a system. Let's look at some examples in a car!

​

Types of Energy

Chemical energy is released when gasoline and air react with each other inside the engine.

Chemical Energy

The chemical energy is converted into kinetic energy which is used to move the car.

Kinetic Energy

The chemical energy released by the gasoline-air reaction is converted into thermal energy, which causes the engine to get hot!

Thermal Energy

Thermal Energy in Reactions

We will see how reactions can have energy flow in or out in the form of thermal energy.

Multiple Choice

Look at the temperatures of the water, the metal object, and the air to explain the flow of thermal energy in this system. What do the arrows show?

• energy transfer from the water to the hot metal

• energy transfer from the water to the air

• energy transfer from the air to the water

• energy transfer from the hot metal to the water

Poll

What do you think: Why do the contents of the ice chest in the photo stay cold even though the air around the chest is warm?

• Heat flows from the ice to the drink containers.

• Heat flows from the drink containers to the ice chest.

• The ice chest accelerates the flow of heat to the environment.

• The ice chest slows the flow of heat from the environment to the ice and drinks.

• All matter is made up of tiny particles that are in constant motion.

• Particles move faster when the object is warm than when the object is cold.

• When thermal energy flows from one object to another, it always flows from the warmer object to the cooler object.

• This is known as heat!

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Types of Energy Transfer

Draw

Draw an arrow showing which way heat will flow in the image of an ice cube in a hand. Remember, heat ALWAYS flows from the warmer object to the cooler object!

Open Ended

Which way did you draw the arrow? Why?

Draw

Draw a scenario in which two things are in contact with each other. Draw an arrow showing which way you think heat would flow between the two objects.