Identifying Energy and Energy Transformations

Solar panels are used to power a house. Construct an argument explaining the energy transformations that occur from sunlight to powering a light bulb inside the house. Be sure to use academic language such as "transform," "convert," "input," and "output" in your explanation. Include evidence or examples to support your claim.

Sentence Stem:

• "In a solar panel system, the input energy is ___ energy, which transforms into ___ energy."

• "This energy is then converted into ___ energy to power a ___ (specific system or object)."

• "Evidence to support this includes ___, which shows how energy moves through the system."

• "In conclusion, the transformations from ___ to ___ make the solar panel system an effective energy source."

• Rubric for Constructed Response:

   Identifying Energy Transformations: ____/5 points

  o Correctly and thoroughly identifies the types of energy involved in the system.

   Use of Academic Language:_____/5 points

  o Effectively uses academic language terms like "transform," "convert," "input,"

  and "output" in context to explain energy transformations.

   Constructing an Argument with Evidence: ____/5 points

  o Constructs a logical, coherent argument and provides clear evidence to support

  the explanation.

Which of the following best describes the energy transformation in a battery-operated flashlight?

• a) Mechanical energy to light energy

• b) Electrical energy to light energy

• c) Chemical energy to light energy

• d) Light energy to electrical energy

When you light a match, which of the following types of energy is transformed into heat and light energy?

• a. It is destroyed.

• • b. It is lost to the surroundings.

• c. It is conserved.
  

• d. It is created.

Tags

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In a toaster, electrical energy is transformed into:

• a. Light energy

• 
  b. Thermal energy

  
  

• 
  c. Chemical energy

  
  

• • d. Mechanical Energy

Label the energy transformation that occurs when a match is struck.

a

b

c

d

Heat Energy

Kinetic Energy

Chemical Energy

Light Energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What type of energy transformation is taking place in a flashlight.

​ (a)   ​ to ​ electrical to ​ (b)  

• chemical

• light

• mechanical

• thermal

• sound

• nuclear

Match the following

• Absorption

• the transfer of energy by a wave to the medium through which it travels

• Transmission

• the passage of light through an object or medium

• reflection

• the law that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but can be changed from one form to another

• Law of Conservation of Energy

• stored energy due to the interactions between objects or particles

• potential energy

• the bouncing of a wave off a surface

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

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5.  Using the words "input" and "output," explain the energy transformation in a car.

Sentence Stem:

• "In a car, the input energy is ___, which transforms into ___ as the output energy."

• "The input energy ___ is converted into ___ energy, and this powers the ___ in the system."

• Rubric for Constructed Response:

   Identifying Energy Transformations: ____/5 points

  o Correctly and thoroughly identifies the types of energy involved in the system.

   Use of Academic Language:_____/5 points

  o Effectively uses academic language terms like "transform," "convert," "input,"

  and "output" in context to explain the energy transformations.

   Constructing an Argument with Evidence: ____/5 points

  o Constructs a logical, coherent argument and provides clear evidence to support

  the explanation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What does it mean to "transform" energy in a system? Use the word "convert" in your explanation.

Sentence Stem:

• "To transform energy in a system means that ___ energy is converted into ___ energy for the system to function."

• "For example, ___ energy is transformed into ___ energy in ___ (specific system)."

• Rubric for Constructed Response:

   Identifying Transformation: ____/5 points

  o Correctly and thoroughly describes the word transform in the context of an energy

  transformation.

   Use of Academic Language:_____/5 points

  o Effectively uses academic language terms like "transform," "convert," "input,"

  and "output" in context to explain.

   Constructing an Argument with Evidence: ____/5 points

  o Constructs a logical, coherent argument and provides clear evidence to support

  the explanation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

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Describe the energy transformations in the following systems:

Use complete sentences and include terms like "energy transformation," "convert," and "system."
a. A wind turbine generating electricity

Sentence Stem:

• "In a wind turbine, the input energy is ___ energy, which is transformed into ___ energy as the output."

• "The transformation happens because ___."

b. A microwave that is heating food

Sentence Stem:

• "In a microwave, the input energy is ___ energy, which is converted into ___ energy to heat the food."

• "This process occurs as ___ energy is transformed into ___ energy, which allows ___."

• Rubric for Constructed Response:

   Identifying Energy Transformations: ____/5 points

  o Correctly and thoroughly identifies the types of energy involved in the system.

   Use of Academic Language:_____/5 points

  o Effectively uses academic language terms like "transform," "convert," "input,"

  and "output" in context to explain energy transformations.

   Constructing an Argument with Evidence: ____/5 points

  o Constructs a logical, coherent argument and provides clear evidence to support

  the explanation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4