Forms of Energy Worksheets

Answer Keys Here

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can transfer from one form to the next. It takes on a wide variety of forms. It is required to do a work. Humans are constantly discovering new ways to harness it and make use of its various form. Thermal (heat) energy is caused by the vibration of atoms with a substance. Nuclear energy is given off when the nuclei of atoms are either combined or split. Electrical energy is a rapid movement of electrons. Light energy is produced when an object's atoms heat up. These worksheets will help students explore many different forms of energy.

Forms of Energy Worksheets:

What is Energy? - Energy is most simply understood as the ability to do work. All living things use it to maintain life, grow, change, and move. We use it to prepare meals, to travel in a car, and to brush our teeth.

QUESTIONS: Different Forms - Which of the following is the standard unit for measuring energy in physics?

Biomass - Biomass is plant or animal matter that can be converted to energy. The reason that biomass can be converted to energy is because it contains stored energy that originated from the sun.

QUESTIONS: Biomass - Why is biomass considered a renewable and what does that mean? Why isn't there an unlimited supply of biomass?

Geothermal - Geothermal energy is considered a renewable source because the Earth is always being warmed by its core. It is also a very clean in that using it has a negligible impact on the environment.

QUESTIONS: Geothermal - Which of the following is NOT a way to harness geothermal? This is just started to get more traction and use.

Solar - The technology behind solar panels is called Solar Photovoltaic (PV). Solar PV generates energy by converting solar radiation (i.e., sunlight) into direct current electricity using semiconductors.

QUESTIONS: Solar - Why is solar power considered an efficient way to generate electricity? In the last 20 years this has become much more commonly used.

Hydropower - Hydro means water. Hydropower is power that is generated using energy from moving water. Hydropower is considered a renewable source because the water is not used up as it is used like is the case with coal or oil.

QUESTIONS: Hydropower - Which of the following is NOT a way to design a hydroelectric power plant?

Wave and Tidal Forms - Wave energy is harnessed from the movement of the waves on the ocean. Waves are created when wind moves across the ocean's surface. A great deal of energy is stored in waves.

QUESTIONS: Wave and Tidal - What are the three ways scientists think we can tap into wave energy?

Wind - Wind power is generated by harnessing the energy of the wind. Wind power is considered a renewable source because the wind cannot be used up, like coal and oil.

QUESTIONS: Wind - Wind turbines blades are typically between how long? The turbine is an amazing invention.

Kinetic Forms - Kinetic energy is the opposite of potential. Potential is the direct result of an object's position or state. For example, an object on a high shelf has potential energy that becomes kinetic when it falls off the shelf.

QUESTIONS: Kinetic Forms - What kind of energy does a roller coaster car have on its way down the incline?

Potential Energy - It has an inverse relationship with kinetic energy. The more kinetic energy an object gains, the less potential it has. A classic example to explain the relationship between them is the roller coaster example.

QUESTIONS: Potential Energy - In a roller coaster, when does the car have the most potential?

Chemical Energy - Chemical energy is stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules. It is released during a chemical reaction, when atoms are rearranged as a result of chemical change.

QUESTIONS: Chemical Energy - True or false: All foods contain the same amount of energy.

A Quick Summary of the Different Forms of Energy:

There six basic forms that can be converted or changed into other forms. Here is a brief explanation of each form:

Chemical - This is found in the chemical bonds of the elements of substances. When these bonds are broken, the energy is released. Heat is often released as a by-product when the bonds are broken.

Electrical - This is generated as the result of electrons moving very fast. Electrons are negatively charged particles. As they move faster, the load it carries increases as well.

Mechanical - This is created by the motion or position of an object. It is not activated until a force acts upon the object. The object then converts that stored energy based on its position and motion into motion.

Nuclear - The energy lies within the core of an atom in nucleus. When the nucleolus is split through a complex process a great deal of power is released instantly. The denser the atom, the more energy that is released. This is one of the more controversial topics in modern society because of improperly maintained facilities that resulted in catastrophes.

Radiant - This is associated with the movement of some form of electromagnetic waves, light, o related particles. We see most of this in the form of the Sun’s energy.

Thermal - This is generated from the moving of particles and their vibrations. Their quick movement and rubbing due to frictional forces creates heat.