4.1 Energy Conversions

Water behind a dam has a certain amount of stored energy that can be released as the water falls over the top of the dam. This energy may be enough to turn a mill wheel or an electricity-generating turbine. Choose the term that best describes the type of energy stored in the water at the top of the dam.

• A) Chemical

• B) Potential

• C) Radiant

• D) Kinetic

We use energy in many ways. What is one thing we cannot do with energy?

• A) Destroy it.

• B) Waste it.

• C) Convert it.

• D) Store it.

What is the definition of energy?

• A) The capacity to do work

• B) The movement of an object

• C) Particles moving in waves through a system

• D) The amount of order in a system

Choose the pencil that has the lowest potential energy.

• A) A pencil on your desk

• B) A pencil falling from your desk

• C) A pencil hitting the ground after falling from your desk

• D) A pencil laying on the ground

Which of the following is a common energy currency in living cells that powers most living organisms?

• A) Sunlight

• B) Heat

• C) ATP

• D) Phosphate

Since energy cannot be created, which arrow represents the energy that will be converted into chemical energy that the chameleon can use later?

• Brown Arrow - the tongue extending

• Green Arrow - the insect being eaten

• Yellow Arrow - sunlight striking the chameleon

• Orange Arrow - heat radiating from the chameleon

How does ATP release energy that can be used by living cells?

• A) By being exposed to body heat

• B) By breaking a bond within an ATP molecule

• C) By being exposed to sunlight

• D) By adding more phosphate groups to itself

Evaluate the following statement about heat: Heat is released in all energy conversion processes as a byproduct.

• A) True.

• B) False, heat is never released as a byproduct.

• C) False, heat is released as a byproduct only in a few energy conversion processes.

• D) False, heat is released in most but not all energy conversion processes.

Predict what would happen as the entropy of a system approaches 100%.

• A) All motion would stop.

• B) There would be little order in the system.

• C) Everything would be very organized.

• D) Heat would decrease.

What is the term for the energy that an object has due to its motion?

• A) Potential energy

• B) Kinetic energy

• C) Chemical energy

• D) Thermal energy