Physical Science Energy Quiz

Which of the following is an example of gravitational potential energy changing to kinetic energy?

• a person riding a bike along a level road
• rocks falling down a mountainside
• sunlight heating the water in a lake
• a plant producing food by photosynthesis

The flashlight shown below has what type of energy transformation.

• chemical to mechanical
• chemical to thermal
• light to mechanical
• light to chemical

Which of the following is a type of potential elastic energy?

• car moving down the road
• food that a person has eaten
• current moving through a light
• rubber band stretched back

What type of heat transfer takes place in fluids like liquids and gases?

• conduction
• convection
• radiation
• electromagnetic waves

Materials that prevent heat flow are

• usually metals.
• conductors.
• insulators.
• radiators.

A chair is sitting out at the beach and gets very hot, what type of energy transformation is taking place?

• conduction
• convection
• radiation
• none of the above

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

• A toaster heats bread
• Gasoline burning in a car engine
• A wind turbine generating electricity
• Sunlight warming a sidewalk

In which process does energy transfer through direct contact of particles?

• Conduction
• Convection
• Radiation
• Evaporation

Why does metal feel colder than wood at the same temperature?

• Metal conducts heat away faster
• Wood is warmer naturally
• Metal reflects heat better
• Wood absorbs more radiation

Which energy transfer method can happen through empty space (a vacuum)?

• Conduction
• Convection
• Radiation
• Insulation