Energy Transfers Simulation
1. Open the pHet simulation: Energy Forms and Changes and the “Systems” tab. Be sure to click the box with “energy symbols” so you can see the energy types
2. Arrange the simulation to create each of the different configurations pictured below. Then, run the simulation for at least 30 seconds.
3. Describe what occurred and then name the transformations that you saw
Configuration
Description of what occurred
Transformation
→ The potential energy of water turns the wheel and
electrical energy is produced. This electrical energy then
turns into heat energy and the temperature of the water
increases.
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Mechanical → Electrical
Electrical → Heat
→ The energy of all the photon coming from the sun
emits the electron from the solar panel. This causes
electrical currents which causes the incandescent light to
glow when it flows to it.
●
●
Solar → Electrical
Electrical → Light
→ The stream being produced from the kettle turns the
wheel turbine, producing electrical energy. This energy is
used by the fan to increase kinetic energy of the wind.
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Mechanical → Electrical
Electrical → Kinetic
Tap on high, water wheel, heating beaker of water
Sun without clouds, solar panel, incandescent light
Kettle, water wheel, fan
→ The biker’s own movement and energy goes into their
peddling which. causes the turbine wheel to spin. This
produces electricity which ultimately passes to the bulb,
causing it to light up.
●
●
Mechanical → Elecctrical
Electrical → Light
→ The biker’s work, peddling, turns the wheel turbine,
producing electrical energy. This electrical energy passes
to the fluorescent light, causing it to light up.
●
●
Mechanical → Electrical
Electrical → Light
Bike, water wheel, incandescent light
Bike, water wheel, fluorescent light
Questions:
1. Which is more efficient, the incandescent or fluorescent bulb? Explain your choice
a. Fluorescent light is more effective necause
2. Why did you have to feed the biker?
a. You have to feed the biker because they are expending energy while they are biking and doing work. If they wish to work continuosly, a constant supply
of energy is needed, which would be food in this case.
3. There are 5 forms of energy in this simulation, but we discussed 9 in class
a. Which 4 are missing?
i.
Potential, Sound, Nuclear, and Kinetic
b. Of those 4, should any of them be included in this simulation? Explain why/why not.
i.
Yes, Potential + Kinetic because they are energies that are, also, used in the simulation.