Identify Energy
Develop Energy Models
Where is energy?
Energy is everywhere in our world. Energy is defined as the ability to do work or to cause a change in a system. Sometimes it is easier to find energy when we experience it as motion, light, sound, or heat. We can experience energy through electricity, such as running appliances, turning on lights, or heating a room.
Other times, energy is stored, such as in plants and our bodies, where it can be used when needed to do work or cause a change.
Instructions
- Using these ideas about energy, look closely at the image of a community.
- Click on places you see energy. Can you find 10? 20? 30?
- Where is the easy-to-spot energy in the community? What surprises you about energy?
Develop models to show energy flow in the community
- Look closely at the energy options shown below.
- Drag and drop (or click and add) your choices to the grid to build a three-step energy flow model.
- Then, click the Test button to see if you've correctly built an energy transfer model.
- Use the model to explain the flow of energy in the community.
If something about your selections didn't work, why do you think they should have? What options do you think are missing?
Remember:
Energy can be transferred from one place to another or from one object to another.
Energy can also be transformed from stored sources into working energy and then stored again.
Test
Energy found: 0
Hmm, double check your selections
Your selections don't match one of our energy flow diagrams. Try again. If you think it should, can you explain why?