Task

Forms of Energy Virtual Lab

In this activity, you will identifying different types of energy present in energy transformations. In Part 1, you will review the six different forms of energy. In Part 2, you will evaluate some energy transformation examples. In Part 3, which will be completed on your task document, you will answer some questions about what you've learned in this activity.

Part 1: Forms of Energy

Energy can be classified into six general forms:

  • chemical,
  • mechanical,
  • thermal,
  • light,
  • electrical, and
  • nuclear.

Let's review these different forms of energy.

Chemical Energy

Chemical energy is potential energy stored in chemical substances. Gasoline, for instance, has a large amount of stored chemical energy. The chemical energy in gasoline is used to power a car.

person putting gas in a car


Electrical Energy

Electrical energy is associated with the movement of electrons. Devices such as televisions, computers and CD players are operated by this form of energy.

laptop, cell phones, tablet


Light Energy

Light energy is a form of electromagnetic energy. Each color of light represents a different amount of electromagnetic energy. Electromagnetic energy also includes x-rays, radio waves and microwaves, so these are examples of devices and technology that uses light energy.

prism with different colors of light
chest x-ray


Mechanical Energy

Mechanical energy is the energy acquired or released by a moving object. For example, mechanical energy propels a baseball after it has been struck by a bat.

baseball player hitting a ball with a bat


Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is energy stored inside the nucleus of an atom (remember, the nucleus is made up of the electrons and protons of an atom). Examples of nuclear energy include nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. When a nucleus splits, nuclear energy is released; this process is called fission. In nuclear fusion, nuclear energy is released when the nuclei of atoms fuse together.


In nuclear fission of uranium, the uranium nucleus splits into multiple, smaller nuclei.


Thermal Energy

Thermal energy is associated with the motion of molecules. It is a type of energy that usually results from the friction caused by molecules rubbing against one another. For example, thermal energy is produced when you rub your hands together very rapidly.

guy rubbing his hands together


Part 2: Energy Transformations

Now that you've reviewed the different forms of energy, let's evaluate some examples of energy transformations.

You will be given 5 event sequences with 3 steps each. For each step in each sequence, you should identify the form of energy used. Your answer choices are the 6 energy forms we've reviewed: chemical, electrical, light, mechanical, nuclear, and thermal.

Mark your answers in the table in Part 2 of your task document.


Event Sequence 1

Step 1: Strong wind moves a wind turbine. This is _____ energy.

Step 2: The spinning turbine operates a generator. The energy from Step 1 is converted into _______ energy.

Step 3: Electricity is used to power a saw. The energy from Step 2 is converted into ________ energy.

wind turbine, arrow to the generator inside a wind turbine, then an arrow to a man using a power saw
See larger version of Energy Sequence 1 here.


Event Sequence 2

Step 1: Gasoline fuel is used in many cars. This is _____ energy.

Step 2: Starting the ignition starts a chain of events that causes the gasoline to burn. The energy from Step 1 is converted into _______ energy.

Step 3: Burning gasoline causes the engine parts to move. The energy from Step 2 is converted into ________ energy.

person putting gas in their car with an arrow to person turning the key in the car ignition with an arrow to a car driving down the road
See larger version of Energy Sequence 2 here.


Event Sequence 3

Step 1: The sun gives off large amounts of heat/thermal energy and _____ energy.

Step 2: Plants use sunlight to make food. The energy from Step 1 is converted into _______ energy.

Step 3: Food energy is stored in the cow's muscles as ________ energy.

sun with an arrow to grass with an arrow to cows in a pasture
See larger version of Energy Sequence 3 here.


Event Sequence 4

Step 1: Coal is used as fuel in a power plant. This is _____ energy.

Step 2: The coal burns, causing the water to boil. The boiling water is converted to steam. The energy from Step 1 is converted into _______ energy.

picture of a coal power plant, an arrow to a diagram of inside a coal power plant, on the diagram the burning coals making water into steam is circled
See larger version of Steps 1 and 2 of Energy Sequence 4 here. See larger diagram of power plant here. Diagram is courtesy of the USGS and Georgia Power.

Step 3: High-pressure steam spins the turbine. The energy from Step 1 is converted into _______ energy.

power plant diagram with steam turning turbine circled
See larger version of Step 3 of Energy Sequence 4 here. See larger diagram of power plant here. Diagram is courtesy of the USGS and Georgia Power.


Event Sequence 5

Step 1: You plug your hair dryer into an electrical outlet, which provides it with _____ energy.

Step 2: When you turn the hair dryer on, the motorized fan turns on and spins. The energy from Step 1 is converted into _______ energy.

Step 3: The heat from the hair dryer dries your hair. The energy from Step 2 is converted into ________ energy.

person plugging a cord into a wall outlet, with an arrow pointing to a hand holding a hair dryer, with an arrow pointing to a stylist blow drying a client's hair
See larger version of Energy Sequence 5 here.