ENERGY AROUND US
Energy is all around you in many different forms. The energy around us is being stored, transformed or transferred at all times. Any device that undergoes an energy conversion where stored energy (potential energy) is changed to active energy (kinetic energy) undergoes an energy trans"form"ation. These energy transformations enable batteries, flashlights, toasters, video games, cars, and even you to do work. According to the law of conservation of energy, energy is neither created nor destroyed, but converted to other forms. The six most widely recognized forms of energy are mechanical, thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, electrical and nuclear. In this investigation, you will examine the forms of energy and identify various energy transformations.
Objective: When you have completed this investigation, you should be able to examine real life situations involving energy use in order to analyze how energy can be transformed from one form to another.
Activity 1
1. Observe the teacher demonstration.
2. Predict the energy types and forms involved in the demonstration. Circle your choices and justify your selections in the boxes below.
Activity 2: Examples
Energy transformations can be found all around you. Any time something moves, energy is involved. Just about anything you look at will involve some form of transformation. In Activity 2, you will observe several systems that undergo at least one energy transformation. Your goal is to identify the energy transformations of each. For each situation you must complete the following:
· Identify the initial kinds of energy (potential or kinetic)
· Identify the initial form of energy (mechanical, thermal, chemical, electric, electromagnetic, nuclear)
· Identify the final kinds of energy (potential or kinetic)
· Identify the final form of energy (mechanical, thermal, chemical, electric, electromagnetic, nuclear)
· Explain the energy conversion/transformation taking place.
Example 1: Fan
Observe the fan. Think! Ask yourself, from where does the energy come to make the blades move? Record! Turn it on. What form/forms of energy is/are represented by the blades moving? Record!
Example 2: Effervescent Tablet
Observe the effervescent tablet. Think about the energy represented by the tablet. Record! Place it into a beaker of water. What forms of energy are represented by the bubbles moving? Record!
Example 3: Toaster Oven
Observe the toaster oven. Think! Ask yourself, from where does the energy come to make the toaster oven work? Record! Turn it on. What form/forms of energy is/are represented by the working oven? Record!
Example 4: Car and Ramp
Observe the car and ramp. Place the car at the top of the ramp. Think! Ask yourself, “What energy does the car have at the top of the ramp before it moves? Release the car. What form/forms of energy is/are represented by the car moving? Record!
Example 5: You
Observe your hands. Start rubbing them together. Ask yourself, what form of energy is represented by your hands rubbing? Record! What form/forms of energy were represented by what you felt? Record!
Analysis (Homework)
Observe the diagram below. When the switch is closed, the bell starts to ring. The ringing bell is evidence that energy transformations have taken place. Circle the kinds of energy and the forms of energy present represented in the working system. Justify your response using evidence from this investigation.
______
EXTRA CREDIT
Draw a cartoon that visually displays one or more energy transformations. The cartoon should include a title and a caption that describes the energy transformation(s) that are occurring. (Be sure to include kinds and forms.)