Name%(First%AND%Last):___________________________________%%%%%%Period:_________________%

Energy'Transformations%
%
0 Energy%can%change%from%one%type%to%another.%This%is%called%an%energy'
conversion'or%energy'transformation%
a. 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.%
b. In%energy'transformations,%some%energy%is%always%lost%to%the%
environment%as%thermal$energy.%
%
Examples'of'energy'transformations'and'their'uses:%
%

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0 A%television%changes%electrical%energy%into%sound%and%light%energy.%During%
these%transformations,%it%also%loses%energy%as%heat.%
%
%

%
%
0 A%toaster%changes%electrical%energy%into%thermal%energy%and%light.%
%

%
%
0 A%car%changes%chemical%energy%from%fuel%into%thermal%energy%and%mechanical%
energy.%
0 A%car%battery%changes%chemical%energy%into%electrical%energy%and%thermal%
energy,%that%electrical%energy%is%then%changed%into%light%energy,%sound%energy,%
and%thermal%energy.%
%
Name%(First%AND%Last):___________________________________%%%%%%Period:_________________%

Directions:'For'the'following'questions,'please'create'a'flip'chart'and'written'
explanation'for'each'energy'transformation.'
'
1. Flashlight:%%
%
Potential Chemical & Electric (batteries) Kinetic Radiant (light) & Kinetic Thermal (heat)

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2. Speaking%into%a%telephone:%
%

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.

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%
%
%
%
%
%
3. Solar%Panel:%
%

Solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the sun's rays into

electricity by exciting electrons in silicon cells using the photons of
light from the sun. This electricity can then be used to supply
renewable energy to your home or business.

%
%
Name%(First%AND%Last):___________________________________%%%%%%Period:_________________%

4. Campfire:%
%

In the case of burning wood, stored potential energy (in

the form of chemical energy) in the log is released due to
heating by other excited atoms. This chemical reaction is
called combustion and requires oxygen. Combustion
changes the potential chemical energy into kinetic energy
in the form of heat.
%
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%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
5. Nuclear%Power%Plant:%
%

This heat energy, already being steam, will be

converted into mechanical energy by a turbine, and in
the end this mechanical energy will be converted into
electrical energy by a generator. The nuclear reactor is
responsible for rising and handling this atomic fission
that generates a lot of heat