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.
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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.
Get students excited about energy transfers by performing a simple, visual demonstration in your classroom. Demonstrations help students see abstract concepts in action and make learning memorable.
Choose common objects like a flashlight, a wind-up toy, or a bouncing ball. Accessible materials ensure every student can relate to the demonstration and understand energy in real life.
Operate the chosen object and ask students to observe what happens. Direct observation helps students connect actions (like turning on a flashlight) to energy changes.
Prompt students to name the starting energy (e.g., battery chemical energy) and ending energies (e.g., light and heat). Discussion builds understanding of useful versus wasted energy.
Invite students to bring in objects or design simple demos at home. Sharing promotes collaboration and helps reinforce energy transfer concepts among peers.
Energy transfer is when energy moves from one object or form to another, like when a battery powers a flashlight. The type of energy may change, but the total amount stays the same.
Use real-world examples, simple diagrams, and hands-on activities like making energy transfer charts or Sankey diagrams. Focus on identifying input, useful, and wasted energy forms to make concepts clear for students.
Common examples include a toaster (electrical to thermal), a bicycle (chemical to kinetic), and a light bulb (electrical to light and heat). These help students see how energy changes form in everyday life.
Energy conservation means that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it only changes form. Understanding this helps students see why energy seems to 'disappear' but is actually just changing into useful or wasted forms.
Useful energy is the part that does what you want (like light from a lamp), while wasted energy is energy lost in other forms (like heat from the lamp). Diagrams help students spot the difference in real situations.