MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Parent Resources
GRADE 5
Course Code: 502006001
BODY OF KNOWLEDGE: P: Physical Science – N: Nature of Science
TOPIC VII: Forms of Energy
ESSENTIAL CONTENT
A. Energy can cause change and
create motion
B. Basic Forms of Energy
1. Light
2. Heat (thermal)
3. Sound
4. Electrical
5. Mechanical
6. Chemical
B. Light Energy
1. Travels in a straight line
until it strikes an opaque
object or travels through
another object
2. Light can
a. Reflect
b. Bend (Refraction)
c. Absorb
C. Heat is energy of moving
particles
1. Sources of heat
a. Rubbing objects (friction)
b. Burning objects
c. Chemical reactions
d. Electricity
2. Heat flows from warmer
objects to cooler objects
D. Sound
1. Produced by vibrating
objects
2. Pitch depends on the
frequency of the vibration
F. Sources of Energy
1. water 2. air
QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK YOUR CHILD:
 What are the basic forms of energy?
 Answer: See Letter B under Essential Content #1-6
.
 Describe what can happen in each Energy form.
Possible Answers:
 Heat/thermal: Objects warm; food cooks
 Electrical: lights on
 Chemical: battery powers flashlight
 Mechanical: machines run
 Light/Radiant: plants grow; lasers cut
 What do different forms of energy have in common?
 Possible Answer: All energy has the ability to cause motion or create a change.
Office of Academics and Transformation – Department of Science - Topic VII
Second Nine Weeks 2015-2016 (Month of Instruction: November)
Page 1 of 1