Name: _________________________
Forms of Energy
Introduction- So you just spent one week learning, making and doing equations about energy...(awesome).
But what is energy anyway? Energy is the ability to do work. AKA- energy means: to cause change. This can
mean: producing warmth, producing sound, producing light, making something move or grow or even power
technology. Something can either have Potential Energy that is energy in matter due to its position or
arrangement of it parts, or it can have Kinetic Energy that is motion energy.
Forms of Energy that are Potential:
Chemical Energy is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules. Batteries, biomass, petroleum, natural
gas, and coal are examples of stored chemical energy. Chemical energy is converted to thermal energy when we
burn wood in a fireplace or burn gasoline in a car's engine.
Mechanical Energy is energy stored in objects by tension. Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands are
examples of stored mechanical energy.
Nuclear Energy is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom — the energy that holds the nucleus together. Very
large amounts of energy can be released when the nuclei are combined or split apart. Nuclear power plants split
the nuclei of uranium atoms in a process called fission. The sun combines the nuclei of hydrogen atoms in a
process called fusion.
Gravitational Energy is energy stored in an object's height. The higher and heavier the object, the more
gravitational energy is stored. When you ride a bicycle down a steep hill and pick up speed, the gravitational
energy is being converted to motion energy. Hydropower is another example of gravitational energy, where the
dam "piles" up water from a river into a reservoir.
Forms of Energy that are Kinetic:
Radiant Energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves. Radiant energy includes visible
light, x-rays, gamma rays and radio waves. Light is one type of radiant energy. Sunshine is radiant energy,
which provides the fuel and warmth that make life on Earth possible.
Thermal Energy, or heat, is the vibration and movement of the atoms and molecules within substances. As an
object is heated up, its atoms and molecules move and collide faster. Geothermal energy is the thermal energy
in the Earth.
Motion Energy is energy stored in the movement of objects. The faster they move, the more energy is stored. It
takes energy to get an object moving, and energy is released when an object slows down. Wind is an example of
motion energy. A dramatic example of motion is a car crash, when the car comes to a total stop and releases all
its motion energy at once in an uncontrolled instant.
Sound is the movement of energy through substances in longitudinal (compression/rarefaction) waves. Sound is
produced when a force causes an object or substance to vibrate — the energy is transferred through the
substance in a wave. Typically, the energy in sound is far less than other forms of energy.
Electrical Energy is delivered by tiny charged particles called electrons, typically moving through a wire.
Lightning is an example of electrical energy in nature, so powerful that it is not confined to a wire.
Two Laws of Energy:
1. Energy cannot be created or destroyed but can change form.
2. Any time energy transfers from one form into another, some is lost is heat.
Practice: In the following situations, label as many types of energy as possible.
1. Someone singing and playing guitar.
2. Turning on a lamp.
3. Eating a burger.
4. A hydroelectric dam
5. Throwing a baseball
6. A Nuclear PowerPlant
Lab Directions- Your job will be to move from station to station and determine the forms of energy that are at
each station. You must label AND explain your answers for each station. Be aware that multiple forms of
energy will be present at each station. Create a Flow chart with the flow of (transfer of energy) energy as well!
Example Station- Shooting a Basketball

3 Different Forms of Energy:
o Mechanical, Motion, Gravitational

Flow Chart:
o Mechanical
Motion Gravitational
Motion
Station 1-Windmill: Turn on the fan, and hold the windmill in front of the fan. Look on the voltmeter to see the
electrical output generated by the windmill.
 What voltage (in millivolts) did you achieve? ________mV
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 2- Magnets: use the magnets(both sides) to alter the compass.
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 3- Mousetrap Car: Wind up the mousetrap car and let it roll.
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 4- Balloon- Light the candle under the balloon and observe what happens. DO NOT MOVE THE
BALLON OR CANDLE! Blow out the candle when you are done.
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 5- Push and Go- Push down the push and go car man and let it roll into the tuning fork.
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 6- Generator: Wind the wheel (AT A MODERAT PACE SO IT DOESN’T BREAK!)
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 7- Geiger Counter: Turn on the Geiger counter and run the side of the wand over the radioactive disk
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 8- Waterfall
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 9- Rollercoaster:Roll the ball down the coaster
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 10- Fogger: Plug in, and observe.
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 11- Solar Cars: Turn on the lamp (CAREFUL VERY HOT!!!) and hold over cars.
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)
Station 12- Alcohol: YOU MUST HAVE GOGGLES ON AT THIS STATION!!! Put 5 mL of alchohol on the
MIDDLE of the table. Then light a stiring rod and touch the alchohol. Then take a small pinch of iron fillings
and throw drop them into the flame. Please do not do this more than once. Do not rub eyes after touching iron
fillings.
 Forms of Energy:

Flow Chart: (fill in the box below, and put arrows in between each transfer!)