Understanding Energy Transformations

Which of the following is an example of chemical energy being transformed into thermal energy?

• A wind turbine generating electricity

• A battery powering a flashlight

• A car engine burning gasoline

• A solar panel absorbing sunlight

Identify the type of energy transformation that occurs when a toaster is used to toast bread.

• Electrical energy to mechanical energy

• Electrical energy to thermal energy

• Chemical energy to electrical energy

• Mechanical energy to thermal energy

Explain why a roller coaster at the top of a hill has more potential energy than at the bottom.

• It is moving faster at the top.

• It is higher above the ground at the top.

• It has more mass at the top.

• It is closer to the ground at the top.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-2

A pendulum is released from a certain height. Describe the energy transformations that occur as it swings back and forth.

• Kinetic to potential to kinetic

• Thermal to chemical to thermal

• Electrical to mechanical to electrical

• Chemical to thermal to chemical

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Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the transformation of potential energy into kinetic energy?

• A book sitting on a shelf

• A car accelerating on a highway

• A ball rolling down a hill

• A light bulb being turned on

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NGSS.MS-PS3-2

A hydroelectric dam converts energy from one form to another. What is the primary energy transformation that occurs in this process?

• Chemical energy to electrical energy

• Mechanical energy to electrical energy

• Thermal energy to mechanical energy

• Electrical energy to chemical energy

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Consider a scenario where a person is riding a bicycle up a hill. What energy transformations are taking place?

• Chemical energy to kinetic energy to potential energy

• Electrical energy to thermal energy to kinetic energy

• Thermal energy to chemical energy to potential energy

• Kinetic energy to chemical energy to thermal energy

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A light bulb converts electrical energy into light and heat. If the efficiency of the light bulb is 20%, what happens to the remaining 80% of the energy?

• It is converted into light energy.

• It is converted into sound energy.

• It is converted into heat energy.

• It is stored as potential energy.

Which of the following best describes the energy transformation in a solar panel?

• Thermal energy to electrical energy

• Chemical energy to electrical energy

• Light energy to electrical energy

• Mechanical energy to thermal energy

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NGSS.HS-PS3-3

A battery is used to power a small fan. Describe the energy transformations that occur in this process.

• Chemical energy to electrical energy to mechanical energy

• Electrical energy to thermal energy to mechanical energy

• Mechanical energy to chemical energy to electrical energy

• Thermal energy to electrical energy to chemical energy

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