Understanding Energy Transfers

Energy is conserved, meaning that energy cannot be created or destroyed through energy transfers. However, the type of energy may be changed during the transfer. In this activity, students will create energy transfer diagrams for three types of energy input using a chart layout. They will identify the energy input and also both the useful and wasted energies.

For students that need some more support with energy transfers, just have them identify the input energy and the useful output energy. As an extension, stretch your more advanced students by getting them to research values for input and output energies and create a Sankey diagram in another column.

Student Instructions

Show energy transfers for a range of real world situations. Remember energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one type to another.

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. Choose three examples of energy input.
3. Write what form of energy the energy input is in the left column.
4. Use an image or photo to represent the example processes.
5. Write what form the useful and wasted energy forms are in the right column.