Name____________________________________
We discovered how different forms of energy can
change to electrical energy to generate electricity.
There are other ways that energy can move and
change. Click here to use the Phet simulation and
then select “Systems”.
(Lesson Activity):
1. Using the diagram below, spend a few minutes playing with the simulation.
a. Click on “Energy Symbols” in the top right corner.
b. Try selecting different energy sources
i. Moving water (faucet)
ii.
Solar/light (Sun)
iii.
Steam (kettle)
iv.
Chemical/mechanical (person on bike)
c. Try selecting different energy changers
i. Generator
ii.
Solar panel
d. Try selecting different energy users
i. Heating water
ii.
Light bulb (standard incandescent bulb)
iii.
Light bulb (compact fluorescent light)
iv.
Motor/fan
2. Build an energy system and describe what happens to the energy as it moves through the
system. Fill in the table below using different examples. Fill in at least 3 rows. The first row
is completed for you as an example.
Energy
source
Form of
Energy
Energy
Changer
Form of
Energy
Energy
User
Moving water
Generator
Heating water
Sun
Solar panel
Light bulb
Steam
Light bulb (CFL)
Person & bike
Motor/fan
Moving water
Mechanical/
motion
Generator
Electrical
Light bulb
Form of
Energy
Thermal/heat
and
light/radiant
3. Use your data table above to list three different specific examples to support the claim.
Claim:
Evidence:
Energy can change from one form of energy into another.
1.
For example, when I used the bicycle, I created motion energy to put
into the generator to turn into electrical energy to turn the lightbulb on
which was light & heat energy.
2.
3.
Reasoning:
Circle or highlight the statement that best explains why the evidence makes
sense to support the claim.
A. Energy is always moving from place to place.
B. Energy can move (transferred) from place to place and can change
(transform) into other forms of energy.
C. Energy is all around us.
D. Humans depend on natural resources to live and to supply their energy
demands.