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Energy Conversions

Big Idea (key concept) Energy


Exists in Different Forms

Different forms of energy have


different uses
Just about everything you see and do
involves energy
Example-Plants use the suns energy to make
their food

Energy the ability to cause change


Write down an example that involves energy.
Be ready to share

Energy Conversion
A change from one form of energy to
another form of energy
Law of Conservation-Energy is never created
or destroyed. It only changes form

Any form of energy can be changed into


any other form of energy

Conversions Between Kinetic and


Potential Energy
Energy can be changed from potential energy to kinetic
energy and back
Lets think of a pendulum.
When you lift the mass to one side, the energy used to
move the pendulum is stored as potential energy.
The higher you lift the pendulum the greater the potential
energy.
When you let it go, it swings because the Earth exerts a
force on it. At this time the potential energy is changed into
kinetic energy.
The total energy of the pendulum at any time is called its
mechanical energy.

Kinetic Energy (K.E.)


The energy of motion
Kinetic energy increases as speed
increases
Kinetic energy increases as mass
increases
Based on this information, what would
have more K.E., a bowling ball or soccer
ball? Each item is rolling at the same
speed.

Potential Energy (P.E.)


Energy that is stored and can be used
later
An objects height (position) above the
ground determines its P.E.
Higher above the ground, the higher the P.E.
The object has P.E. due to the force of gravity

Objects can have P.E. from chemical


composition (chemical energy)

Kinetic Energy and Potential


Energy
Watch this clip about K.E. and P.E.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=t2vnyfNK870
Think about your favorite roller coaster.
Tell me when the coaster has the highest
P.E. and when would it have the highest
K.E.

Forms of Energy
Remember energy changes form but is
never lost.
Lets take a look at some examples-see if
you can name the conversions taking
place in each example
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/ene
rgy-forms-and-changes

Conversions Involving Chemical


Energy
Chemical Energy-energy that is stored in
matter.
Food has chemical energy.
When you eat food, the chemical energy is
changed to kinetic energy while you are
active and thermal energy to help you
maintain your body temperature.
Can you think of another example that
involves chemical energy?

Energy Conversions in Plants


Plants have chemical energy (remember,
we eat them).
Photosynthesis uses the suns energy
(Electromagnetic energy) to create new
substances (food for the plant) with
chemical energy.
Electromagnetic energy is energy that is
transmitted through space in the form of
waves
Example-visible light

Energy Involving Electrical Energy


We use electrical energy all the time.
Example: A hairdryer changes electrical
energy into thermal energy.
Thermal energy (heat)-the movement of
particles in matter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=f1eAOygDP5s

Energy Conversions and Efficiency


During all energy conversions, some energy
is turned into thermal energy.
Example-heat produced from a light bulb

Some energy is converted into unwanted


energy. For instance, we would prefer to
have only light from the light bulb, not the
heat energy
Lets look at page 82 to learn more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=k60jGJfV8oU

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