Do you love playing outside during recess? Do you love to play an instrument? Do you enjoy watching TV and playing video games? If you enjoy doing all these things, there is one thing that you need to do all of them: energy.
Energy is the ability to do work, and energy is happening all around us. It happens as the sun comes up in the morning. It happens as your dog catches a Frisbee or when you ride your bike. It even happens when you turn on the light in your bedroom. Energy is so exciting! Read on to learn more!
The main source of energy is the sun. The sun's rays are changed into chemical energy for the plant to help it grow big and strong. Plants are important because it is how humans and animals get food. We get the energy we need by eating fruits, meats, and vegetables.
When we eat food, we have the energy to do things we enjoy. When we use this energy in motion, like riding a bike, it is called kinetic energy. But did you know that when you rest you still have energy? This energy is called potential energy because you're not using it yet.
Did you know that there are many different kinds of energy? When the sun shines outside it is giving off light energy through its bright rays. Make sure you have your sunglasses on when this energy is shining through!
Rub your hands quickly together. You may feel them getting warm. This is an example of heat energy. The molecules in your hands move fast to make heat.
There is also electrical energy, which happens when something called electrons move around a circuit to make electricity. These are just a few of the many different kinds of energy we use every day.
We get our energy from food, but we also use energy too. You use electrical energy to power electronics, like television, tablets, and cell phones. You use light energy when you flip on the switch in your room to read your books at night.
Some newer cars use solar energy, or energy from the sun for power. These cars do not need gas, they can drive by using the energy from the sun that is caught through specialized panels, called solar panels.
We can help our environment by saving energy. This is called conservation. When you leave a room you should turn off the light. Energy is wasted when too much light is not used properly.
You can also encourage your parents to buy energy-efficient items for your home. These special products are safe for the environment and can help your parents save money by saving energy.
Energy is the ability to do work and a very important part of how we live. There are different types of energy like potential energy, kinetic energy, light energy, electrical energy, and even solar energy! For example, plants use energy from the sun to grow. Animals depend on these plants for their food. Humans use energy from food to stay active and healthy. We can help the environment by saving energy every day.
Identify three objects in your home that have energy. What type(s) of energy does each of these objects have?
Find a pencil or another small object in your home. Place the object on the edge of a desk or table. What type of energy does it have? If it is safe to do so, tap the object so it falls off of the desk. What type of energy does it have as it is falling?
The objects identified in this activity will vary. A toy ball rolling on the ground would have kinetic energy. A light or lamp would have light energy. Electrical devices like computers use electrical energy.
When the object is resting on the desk, it has potential (stored) energy because it could fall off of the desk. When it falls, it has kinetic energy, because it is moving.
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