Introduction to Energy

A table of energy sources and users. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Learning Goals

Learning Goals:

  1. Students will be able to name and describe at least 5 kinds of energy
  2. Students will be able to identify and explain simple energy transformations
Materials List

Handouts

Classroom Supplies

  • 1.5 V light bulb
  • D-cell or AA batteries
  • Alligator clips
  • Magnet
  • Paper clips (10-20)
  • Small electric motor
  • Solar Module (1-3 V size)
  • 100W lamp for use with solar module
  • Battery Charger
  • Paper cup
  • Marbles
  • Cardboard Tube (from wrapping paper or paper towel)
  • Electric Heater (recommend parabolic heater)
  • Electric Radio

Important Links

Next Generation Science Standards

Next Generation Science Standards

MS-PS3-3 (Crosscutting Concept)

  • The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a designed or natural system.

MS-PS3-5

  • Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.
  • When the motion energy of an object changes, there is inevitably some other change in energy at the same time.
  • Energy may take different forms (e.g. energy in fields, thermal energy, energy of motion).
Featured Image Description

Three rows outlined in black. In the first row a sketch of a black outlet plug with yellow prongs and electric bolts is on the left side. a blue arrow in the middle pointing right to a black and white sketch of a toaster with two pieces of bread in it. In the second row the left side has a sketch of food items, a piece of tan pie with a chocolate drizzle, a red tomato with green stem, a burrito in a pale wrap with brown beans green lettuce, cut tomato and grated yellow cheese spilling out, a yellow banana, and a half an orange. In the middle is a blue arrow pointed to the right. On the right is a black sketch of a person on a bicycle riding to the right. On the third row on the left is a yellow sun image with yellow triangular rays, in the middle a blue arrow pointed right, and on the right a blue 3D building sketch with two windows on the front with a door opening, a window on the right side, and a 4×3 solar panel on the roof, to it’s left their is a power pole with two wires connecting to the building.

Lesson 1 of 6 / Time: Two 40-45 min periods

This lesson will introduce students to each of the different types of energy using PowerPoint slides, partner activities, and hands-on experiences with different kinds of energy including: batteries (chemical), electrical circuits (electrical), motors (motion), speakers (sound), vinegar and baking soda (chemical) and magnets (magnetic). Finally, students will examine how energy can be transformed from one kind to another. This is suitable as a stand-alone lesson.

Solar vs Wind Energy Unit

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