Energy Conversion
Time for a Change
In a Flash
Diagram showing how different forms of energy can be converted to another form of energy.
Energy Conversion: Transfer and Transform
Energy transfer is the movement of energy from one location to another. For example, when electricity moves from a wall plug, through a charger, to a battery.
Energy transformation is when energy changes from one form to another – like in a hydroelectric dam that transforms the kinetic energy of water into electrical energy.
While energy can be transferred or transformed, the total amount of energy does not change – this is called energy conservation.
Burning Questions
Electrical energy is moved from the wall socket through the cable, and stored in the phone battery until used.
What is energy transfer?
Energy transfer refers to the movement of energy from one place to another. Think of the electricity that flows from your wall socket, then moves through a charger and into a battery. The energy is being transferred from the wall socket to the battery.
What is energy transformation?
One type of energy can change into another type of energy. Energy transformation means the changing of energy from one type to another, e.g. from kinetic energy to electrical energy, or from potential energy to kinetic energy.
What are some examples of energy transformation?
Here are some of the ways that energy can change (transform) from one type to another:
The Sun transforms nuclear energy into heat and light energy
Our bodies convert chemical energy in our food into mechanical energy for us to move
An electric fan transforms electrical energy into kinetic energy
Lightning converts electrical energy into light, heat and sound energy
What is energy conservation?
There are many different types of energy, including kinetic, potential, gravitational and electrical.
Energy can be transferred (move from one location to another) and it can change (transform) from one type to another – but the total amount of energy is always conserved, i.e. it stays the same.
What Do You Mean?
The Sun, a source of solar energy, transfers thermal (heat) and light energy to humans, animals and plants.
Energy transfer is the movement of energy from one location to another.
Energy transformation is the changing of energy from one type of energy to another.
Energy conservation means that the total amount of energy always remains the same.
Speedy Summary
When the fuel is burnt, the hot gas rushes out of the rocket due to the great heat and pressure produced by the release of chemical energy in burning.
Energy transfer is the movement of energy from one location to another. Energy transformation is when energy changes from one type to another. While energy can be transferred or transformed, the total energy always remains the same.
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