Basics
Energy is a fundamental property that is usually thought of as the capacity to perform work.
Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy can be transferred from one object to another or transformed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
Energy takes different forms.
Energy can be part of an energy pyramid.
Forms of Energy
• When Potential Energy is released (a roller coaster plummeting from its peak), it becomes Kinetic Energy.
• When Kinetic Energy stops moving (a roller coaster pausing at its peak), it becomes Potential Energy.
| Potential Energy (Stored Energy) |
Kinetic Energy (Energy in Motion) |
|
| Chemical [food, batteries, fuel (gas, oil, coal, firewood)] |
Radiant [solar, electromagnetic spectrum (visible and invisible rays/waves)] |
|
| Nuclear [uranium] |
Thermal [heat, fire, volcano] |
|
| Gravitational [roller coaster at its peak, water behind a dam, air] |
Moving [roller coaster plummeting, flowing water, wind] |
|
| Mechanical/Elastic [coiled spring, stretched rubber band] |
Sound [vibration, sonic boom] |
|
| Electrical [lightning, electric current] |
Energy Pyramid is a term that often describes a Food Web or a Food Chain as follows:
Quaternary Consumers
Animals that derive their food/energy from eating tertiary consumers.
Example: Owls eat snakes.
Tertiary Consumers
Animals that derive their food/energy from eating secondary consumers.
Example: Snakes eat rats.
Secondary Consumers
Animals that derive their food/energy from eating primary consumers.
Example: Rats eat grasshoppers.
Primary Consumers
Animals that derive their food/energy from eating plants.
Example: Grasshoppers eat grass.
Producers
Plants that use solar energy to make their own food via photosynthesis.
Example: Grass
Practice – Questions
1. The Law of Conservation of Energy states that Energy cannot be created or:
A. manufactured
B. summoned
C. bullied
D. destroyed
2. Which of the following is a form of potential energy?
A. radiant
B. thermal
C. elastic
D. sound
3. Which of the following is a form of kinetic energy?
A. radiant
B. gravitational
C. elastic
D. mechanical
4. The base of an energy pyramid consists of:
A. quaternary consumers
B. producers
C. primary consumers
D. secondary consumers
5. The top of an energy pyramid consists of:
A. consumers
B. producers
C. nonesuches
D. wannabes
Practice – Answers
1. D. destroyed
2. C. elastic
3. A. radiant
4. B. producers
5. A. consumers