All about Energy: Types, Forms, Sources

Energy is the ability to do work or cause a change. We observe energy in action around us every day- a pot of water boiling, a bird flying overhead, or the sun shining. But sometimes energy is NOT doing anything- it is simply stored up, like the energy inside a battery before you use it, or the energy in an apple before you eat it.Energy that is "in action" is called Kinetic Energy. It is the energy of motion, because something is always moving. Energy that is stored up is called Potential Energy. All forms of energy fit into one of these two categories.The Law of Conservation of Energy tells us that energy cannot be created or destroyed; but it can be changed (converted) from one form to another, such as chemical energy in a battery being converted to electrical energy in a toy. Look at the examples of energy and decide if they are kinetic energy (energy in action) or potential energy (stored energy). Kinetic Energy Riding a bicycle Music coming from a violin A candle burning Electric current moving through a wire Light shining from a flashlight Potential Energy An apple hanging from a tree branch A slice of pizza on a plate A charged up chromebook with the lid closed A rubber band that is stretched but not moving A magnet resting on a table Scientists have identified about a dozen forms of energy. Listed below are some you have probably heard of. Match the form of energy in the first column with the example in the second column. chemical energy There is energy stored in the molecules of our food current electrical energy A charging cord carries electricity to your phone magnetic energy Sophie picked up some spilled tacks using a magnet elastic energy Violet stretched a rubber band, ready to shoot it at her little brother electromagnetic energy (light energy) The bright sunshine caused Matthew to get a sunburn sound energy Will loves listening to music on his headphones thermal energy (heat energy) On a hot day at the beach, the sand was burning my feet nuclear energy A large atom like uranium or plutonium can be split, releasing energy from its nucleus mechanical energy (motion energy) Cameron won the hockey game when he blasted the puck into the net static electricity At the playground, after going down the slide MIkayla touched a metal pole and got a small shock Look at the different sources of energy, and decide whether they are Non-renewable or Renewable. Non-renewable Petroleum (oil) Coal Nuclear Natural Gas Renewable Wind power Solar power Hydro power Geothermal Biomass For each SOURCE of energy, identify the FORM of energy that is involved in capturing this source. Petroleum, Coal, Natural Gas and Biomass all are examples of the energy form called chemical energy.Geothermal is an example of the energy form called thermal energy.Solar energy is an example of the energy form called electromagnetic energy.Wind power and Hydro power are examples of the energy form called mechanical energy.