FCAT Review-Energy Transfer and Transformation

SC.7.P.11.2 - Investigate and describe the transformation of energy from one form to another.
SC.6.P.11.1 - Explore the Law of Conservation of Energy by differentiating between potential
and kinetic energy. Identify situations where kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy
and vice versa.
SC.7.P.11.3 - Cite evidence to explain that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only
changed from one form to another.
SC.7.P.11.4 - Observe and describe that heat flows in predictable ways, moving from warmer
objects to cooler ones until they reach the same temperature.
SC.7.P.11.1 - Recognize that adding heat to or removing heat from a system may result in a
temperature change and possibly a change of state.
Essential Questions and Answers
1. What is energy transformation?
Energy transformation or energy conversion is the process of changing one form of
energy to another.
2. What are the types for energy?

Kinetic Energy is the energy of a moving object. The amount of kinetic energy depends
on the mass and velocity of the moving object. Examples: An apple falling from a tree,
wind, and a bird flying to its nest.
Potential Energy is the stored energy of an object based on its position. Examples: A
rock at the top of a hill has potential energy based on its position.
Mechanical Energy is the energy of motion that does the work. An example of
mechanical energy is the wind as it turns a windmill.
Heat Energy is energy that is pushed into motion by using heat. An example is a fire in
your fireplace.
Chemical Energy is energy caused by chemical reactions. An example of chemical energy
is food when it is cooked.
Electrical Energy is when electricity creates motion, light or heat. An example of
electrical energy is the electric coils on your stove.
Gravitational Energy is motion that is caused by gravity. An example of gravitational
energy is water flowing down a waterfall.

3. What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy can change form, but it cannot be
created or destroyed. Therefore, the total amount of energy stays the same.
In energy transformations, some energy is always lost to the environment as thermal
energy
4. How does energy flow in a system?
Thermal energy is transferred from warmer to colder particles in three ways:
1. Conduction: is the heating of an object from direct contact between a heat source and
the object. An example is a pan getting hot from the stove.
2. Convection: is heating of an object through the movement of a fluid (a gas or liquid). An
example would be hot air rising cool air sinking.
3. Radiation: is the heating of an object by radiant energy traveling through space by
electromagnetic waves. An example is the thermal energy coming to the Earth from the
Sun through infrared waves.
5. What happens to an object when thermal energy is added or removed?
A change in state of matter can occur (solid, liquid, gas)

***Examples of energy transformations and their uses:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A television changes electrical energy into sound and light energy.

A toaster changes electrical energy into thermal energy and light.
A car changes chemical energy from fuel into thermal energy and mechanical energy.
A flashlight changes chemical energy from batteries into light energy.
When you speak into your telephone, sound energy from your voice is changed into
electrical energy. The electrical energy is then converted back into sound energy on
another phone, allowing someone to hear you.
6. Light energy is converted into electrical energy using solar panels.
7. Campfires convert chemical energy stored in wood into thermal energy, which is useful
for cooking food and staying warm.
8. Nuclear energy generates a tremendous amount of thermal energy, which can be
converted into electrical energy in a nuclear power plant.

Sample Questions:
1. Jeffrey brings a book from an air-conditioned apartment to a balcony on a hot summer
day. How will the cool book interact with the outside air?
A.
B.
C.
D.

Heat from the book will move to the air

Heat from the air will move to the book
Coolness from the book will move to the air
Coolness from the air will move to the book

2. Which of the following is one of the energy conversion taking place in a campfire?
A.
B.
C.
D.

Heat to light
Heat to kinetic
Chemical to light
Light to chemical