What are some ways we use or see energy being used?

Some forms and uses of energy

• Energy is the ability to do work or cause change.
• What types of energy do you see in this photo?
• Nuclear energy (sun)
• Chemical energy (plants)
• Thermal energy (melting snow)
• Mechanical energy (moving water)
• Light energy (visible light)

Everything we do is connected to energy use.

Energy is usually described as kinetic or potential

• Kinetic Energy- the energy an object has due to its motion.

Kinetic energy increases when you have more mass.
Which ball will make a bigger splash?
• The green ball has more kinetic energy because it has more mass.
• So it makes a bigger splash!

Kinetic energy increases when you have more speed
Will the ball go farther with a slow swing or a fast swing? Why?
A fast swing has more speed, therefore, more kinetic energy and the ball will go farther.

• Potential Energy- the energy an object has stored, often due to its position.

Which skier has more potential energy? Why?
Skier 1 has more potential energy because they are at a higher position than skier 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl4g7T5gw1M

Roller Coasters use potential and kinetic energy to create an exciting ride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5_jrwSA3w

• Create a roller coaster with just the right balance of potential and kinetic energy so it doesn’t crash!
http://www.brainpop.com/games/coastercreator/

Classify the following as a type of potential energy or kinetic energy (use the letters K or P)
1. A bicyclist pedaling up a hill
2. An archer with his bow drawn
3. A volleyball player spiking a ball
4. A baseball thrown to second base
5. The chemical bonds in sugar
6. The wind blowing through your hair
7. Walking down the street
8. Sitting in the top of a tree
9. A bowling ball rolling down the alley
10.A bowling ball sitting on the rack
What can you find in your home that are examples of kinetic and potential energy? Name two for each type of energy.

• You will be testing the factors that affect kinetic energy by recording the distance a marble will roll down a ramp.
– You will change its mass and its speed (angle of the ramp) and describe how this affects its energy.