Differentiate Types of Energy
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to differentiate among forms of energy, including mechanical, sound, electrical, light, and heat/thermal.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that energy exists in many forms and can be observed in cycles, patterns, and systems.
Science Background
Types of Energy: Buzzle.com (website) - This article discusses the various manifestations of energy, from mechanical to sound, and explains how energy is transformed from one type to another.
Introduction to Energy: National Energy Education Development Project (PDF) - Overview of different types and sources of energy, energy conservation, and national consumption of various forms of energy.
Introduction to Energy
National Energy Education Development Project, www.need.org
Energy Tutorial: National Fuel Cell Research Center (Website) - Detailed descriptions of energy sources used for electricity generation, transportation, heating, etc., with discussion of energy reserves and trends. Includes links to many additional articles.
Energy Tutorial
National Fuel Research Center, www.nfcrc.uci.edu
Signature Lesson
Transforming Energy: Science NetLinks (website) - Students learn to identify and differentiate among different types of energy by investigating how electrical energy can be produced from a variety of sources and then transformed into almost any other form of energy. (Note: The lesson uses the word “kinetic” for energy of motion. The teacher also should introduce the word “mechanical” when referring to kinetic energy. Further, add the following questions to the exploration of sound. Does the fan produce any sound as its blades rotate? What type of energy are you hearing? How is the sound energy produced?) Includes assessment and extensions.
Transforming Energy
Science NetLinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Converting Energy: Science Netlinks (website) - Develop students’ knowledge and understanding of what energy is, how it is transformed and converted, and how it can be measured.
Converting Energy
Science NetLinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com
Investigating the Types of Energy in Different Objects: Science & Health Education Partnership (website) - Students discuss, describe and classify different objects based on the type of energy the objects possess.
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Power Play: Science NetLinks (website) - Expands students’ understanding of energy, its many sources, and how one form of energy can be changed into another.
Power Play
Science NetLinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com
Science of Energy: National Energy Education Development Project (PDF) - A series of hands-on experiments that teach students about different forms of energy and energy transformations.
Science of Energy
National Energy Education Development Project, www.need.org
Assessment Ideas
Have the students choose a machine at home to investigate. Ask them explain how the machine works, how it transforms energy, how the machine’s parts relate to each other, and how the energy produced by the machine is helpful to society.
Literature Connections
Forms of Energy. Claybourne, Anna (ISBN-13: 978-1410933829)
Magic School Bus: Getting Energized (VHS Video). Tomlin, Lilly (ASIN: 156832779X)
Energy for Every Kid. VanCleave, Janice (ISBN-13: 978-0471330998)
Additional Resources
Primary Science of Energy: National Energy Education Development Project (PDF) - Thorough set of activities, including student pages, that explore different forms of energy and how energy it is used.
Primary Science of Energy
National Energy Education Development Project, www.need.org
What is Energy? K-12 Energy Education Program (website) - Simple activities and experiments—focused on energy forms, simple machines, and how energy is measured and quantified—that increase students’ understanding of the different types of energy.
What is Energy?
K-12 Energy Education Program, www.uwsp.edu
NEED Science Fair Projects for Kids: National Energy Education Development Project (website) - Fun science fair projects through which young students explore the forms, uses and transformation of energy.
NEED Science Fair Projects for Kids
National Energy Education Development Project, www.need.org
TEKS Navigation
Grade 4
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