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Article issued September 28, 2001
Energy Works
Energy comes in many different forms including heat (thermal energy), light (radiant energy), mechanical, electrical, chemical, and nuclear energy. In this thematic unit, you will find out what kinds of energy sources you use and review some ways to conserve!
Energy comes in many different forms including heat (thermal energy), light (radiant energy), mechanical, electrical, chemical, and nuclear energy. We all use at least one of these forms of energy every day. Some sources of this energy are renewable but others are nonrenewable; once they are used they are gone! In this lesson, you will find out what kinds of energy sources you use and review some ways to conserve the use of nonrenewable resources and use renewable resources.
If you look up the word "energy" in the glossary of a science book you may find a definition such as the following:
Energy is the ability to do work. It exists in many forms including heat, light, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and nuclear energy.
There are two types of energy: stored (potential) energy and working (kinetic) energy. For example, the gasoline your car uses contains chemical energy, which is stored until you release it when you start your cars engine, or make it work. There are several sources of stored energy. Some of these are renewable (meaning they can be used over and over again because they can be replaced in a short period of time) and some sources are nonrenewable (meaning that after they are used once it will take a long time for them to be replenished.)
Renewable energy sources include solar energy from the sun, wind energy, hydropower from water, and biomass energy from burning wood and organic material. In developed or highly industrialized countries such as the United States, Canada, and Japan, renewable energy supplies only about 10% of the energy needs! The energy source that is relied on most heavily (90% of the total energy demand) includes the fossil fuels-oil, natural gas, and coal-all of which are nonrenewable. In contrast, renewable energy supplies a larger portion of the energy demands of people in less developed nations, about 40%.
We use nonrenewable energy sources every day to run our cars, create electricity for our appliances, heat our homes, and to produce and package our food. Energy usage will continue to increase with the demands of our Earth's growing population needs. With such a heavy reliance on the nonrenewable resources, will this growth be sustained? Use the lessons in this unit to increase the "energy awareness" of your students and discuss ways to help to conserve our energy resources.
LESSON 1:
Forms of Energy
Concepts:
You will learn about six different forms of energy that are used to power our everyday activities and give examples of sources for each energy form named.
Lesson:
You and your student can use this simple tool to memorize 6 forms of energy that are used to power our cars, our appliances, and many of the activities that we perform each day. Simply remember the name: MR. CHEN *
M Mechanical Energy
R Radiant (Light) Energy
C Chemical Energy
H Heat Energy
E Electrical Energy
N Nuclear Energy
*adapted from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Learning About Energy.
Have your student list an activity that uses each form of energy. Possible answers appear on this worksheet.
Discussion Topics:
- Ask your student how many forms of energy he or she uses at home daily.
- Point out that each form of energy listed can be converted into electrical energy and is easily distributed by power and electric companies to households. Discuss what form of energy your local power plant uses to generate electricity.
Additional Resources:
LESSON 2:
Energy Works!
Concepts:
You will learn about energy's relation to work.
Lesson:
Explain the statement, "Energy is the ability to do work," to your student, providing some simple examples from your surroundings.
Example: The clock is using energy to make its hands move around. What kind of energy is the clock using? (answer: electrical) What is the work that being done? (answer: hands are moving).
Reinforce this exercise by having your student fill in the "Energy Works!" worksheet.
Additional Resources
LESSON 3:
Use Your Local Energy Company
Concepts:
You will learn about your local energy company and the resources it offers while using your Internet research abilities.
Lesson:
Your local energy company often offers a host of great online and at home activities for you to use with your students. To find the Web page of the company closest to you search for the words "gas", "electric", "nuclear", plus your state name using your favorite Web search engine. Once you find a site close to home, go to the educational resources section to find lessons and news specific to your location. (Two Web directories are listed in the Resources below to help start your search.)
You may ask a more advanced student to do his or her own search to find energy saving tips suggested by the companies in your region.
Additional Resources
LESSON 4:
Electrifying Resources
Concepts:
You will learn about the energy sources that are used by power plants to create electrical energy.
Lesson:
Ask you student where electricity comes from and you may get the following answer: The electric company! Of course, this answer is correct but what then is the electric company's source? This activity will help guide you and your student to the answers!
- Print out (or access) the Energy Information Administration information page, What is Electricity! (), and review the content with your student.
- Have your student identify at least 4 different sources of energy that are used to generate electrical power. Answers are here.
- Discuss the concept of renewable and nonrenewable resources with your students presenting the following definitions:
Renewable energy sources can be replenished (made again) in a short period of time.
Nonrenewable energy sources cannot be replenished in a short period of time.
Identify each source of energy as renewable or nonrenewable. (Answers are here).
- Follow up by discussing steps your community or town has already taken to conserve the nonrenewable sources that are often used to create electricity.
Additional Resources:
LESSON 5:
Planet Energy - Renewable Resource Trail
Concepts:
You will learn about new and renewable energy technologies using an interactive program on the Internet.
Lesson:
Planet Energy is a United Kingdom site that guides visitors around its "Energy Trail" to learn about new and renewable energy technologies. It is divided into three sections: the teacher information zone, an information zone for ages 7-11, and an information zone for ages 12-16.
Follow the teacher information zone to find great activities for your student that you can do with or without a computer!
Additional Resources:
LESSON 6:
Build a Solar Cooker
Concepts:
You will learn about solar energy and use a design to build your own solar cooker.
Lesson:
The Solar Cooking web site provides easy-to-follow instructions for building a simple and complex solar cookers that really work! Try it yourself for small cooking jobs like warming cookies and melting s'mores. Visit the following links to get you started:
How to Build a Pizza Box Solar Ovens or Make A Pizza Box Solar Oven (Grades K-5)
Solar Cooking Plans (Grades 6-12)
Additional Resources:
LESSON 7:
Learn About Saving Energy
Concepts:
You will learn about energy and ways that you can help to save energy every day.
Lesson:
Finish off this unit by finding ways to save energy. On this useful Department of Energy fact sheet you will find ways to help your young scholar reduce energy use and save money at home. Use the Learn About Saving Energy worksheet to guide your student through the information offered on this fact sheet.
Additional Resources:
Article by Marie Perri, HLN Curriculum Development
Article © Homeschool Learning Network, All Rights Reserved.
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