Forms of Energy Test Study Guide 1
Vocabulary
energy: the ability to cause change in matter
mechanical-the total energy of motion and position
electrical-a form of energy that comes from electric current
thermal/heat-is the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance
conductor-a material that readily allows electric charges to pass through it
sound: a type of energy made by vibrations; cannot travel in space
light: a type of energy that can travel through space
Students will be expected to know the difference between the forms of energy (electrical,
thermal/heat, sound, light, mechanical) below.
Examples:
Mechanical
Electrical
Sound
Light
Chemical
(vegetables)
Heat
Sample questions:
1.
When turned on, the radio display lights up and you hear sound. How does light energy differ from sound energy?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Light energy is measured by pitch.
Light energy is made from vibrations.
Light energy can travel through space.
Light energy can only be found during the day.
2.
Nancy says that mechanical energy enables her clothes dryer to operate. Which form of energy listed below can
Nancy use to correct here statement?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Heat energy
Electrical energy
Thermal energy
Chemical energy
*What are conductors?
*A material that allows heat to move through it easily is called a conductor.
Metal is an example of a conductor. Examples of conductors are metal spoon, paper clip, metal handle
*What is an insulator?
*Materials that do not conduct heat easily are insulators.
Examples of insulators: oven mitts, rubber, fur inside of a jacket
Sample questions:
3.
Jeffery is making a poster about conductors and insulators. Which of the following examples should he list as a
conductor?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Rubber eraser
Aluminum can
Plastic straw
Wooden pencil
4.
If Max wanted to use a spoon to stir a very hot soup, which material should he use to keep his hand from getting
burned?
A.
B.
C.
D.
aluminum
copper
Steel
wood
A circuit is a closed path along which electric charges flow.
Students are expected to understand that the flow of electric current in a circuit requires a complete
path.
Ex. Complete path (closed)
Ex. Not a complete path (open)
Materials needed to create a complete circuit are wire, light bulb, a metal object, and a battery.
Students will be expected to know that conductors (metal objects such as paper clip) will allow energy
to flow through a circuit and insulators (rubber, wood, and plastic) will not.
Sample questions:
5. Which of the following items would work best to close a circuit?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A rubber band
A glass marble
A metal paper clip
A wooden chopstick
6.
Which observation did Lori record if she was testing if a wooden stick would act as a conductor to close a circuit?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The bulb remains unlit.
The bulb becomes brighter.
The bulb flickers on and off.
The bulb lights for 2 seconds.
1.
2.
3.
4.
C
B
B
D
Answer Key
5. C
6. A