Primary 6

PAL Science

Name: ___________________________________________________

Tutor: ___________________________________________________

Topic: ENERGY FORMS, USES AND CONVERSIONS (LESSON 13)

 Primary 6 PAL Science

Lesson Outline

• Notes

• Activity 1: Hands-on Activity

• Activity 2: MCQs

• Activity 3: Open-ended Questions

• Activity 4: Fun Facts

• Activity 5: Science in Daily Life

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Energy Forms, Uses and Conversions – NOTES

Forms of Energy

Heat energy Light energy Electrical energy

Forms of Energy

Kinetic energy Sound energy

Potential energy

Chemical potential Gravitational Elastic potential

energy potential energy energy

Energy can be stored, used and changed from one form into another. Energy cannot be created
or destroyed.

Kinetic Energy

• Kinetic energy is the energy that moving objects have. For example, wind is moving air. Wind
has kinetic energy.
• The amount of kinetic energy an object has depends on the mass and the speed of the moving
object.

• Objects with more mass have more kinetic energy. For example, if a bus and a car are moving at
the same speed, the bus has more kinetic energy than the car.
• The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has. For example, if two identical cars are
moving at different speeds, the car that is moving faster has more kinetic energy.
• An object at rest has no kinetic energy. For example, a stationary car has no kinetic energy.

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Energy Forms, Uses and Conversions – NOTES

Light Energy

• Light energy is the form of energy that allows us to see. Objects can be seen if they give off
light or if then reflect light.
o Objects that give off light are sources of light, e.g. a torch, burning wood, a gas flame,
the Sun.
o The Moon is not a source of light. It can be seen because it reflects light from the Sun.

Heat Energy

• Heat energy is the form of energy that can cause an object to change its temperature or
state.
• Besides producing heat by various natural heat sources (the Sun and burning fuels) or
from electrical appliances, heat energy can also be produced by moving or rubbing things
together.

Sound Energy

• Sound is a form of energy that we can hear. It is produced by vibrating objects.

• Sound travels outwards from the object producing it towards our ears. Sound needs a medium
(e.g. solid, liquid, gas) to travel through, or else it cannot be heard.
o For example, sound cannot travel in a vacuum.
• There are many types of sound. We usually use sound energy to communicate.
o Music is a type of sound which is pleasant to listen to and has a regular pattern.
o Noise is a type of sound which is unpleasant to listen and has an irregular pattern.

Electrical Energy

• Electrical energy or electricity can be changed to other forms of energy, such as light, sound
and heat energy, and is the most widely used.

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Energy Forms, Uses and Conversions – NOTES

Potential Energy
•Potential energy is also known as stored energy. It can be used and changed into other forms of
energy.
•Some forms of potential energy include, chemical energy, gravitational potential energy and elastic
potential energy.

•Chemical Potential Energy

Chemical potential energy is stored in any kind of food, fuel or battery.
The stored energy can be released as usable energy. For example,
Food – Respiration
Fuel – Burning
Battery – In closed electric circuit
•Gravitational Potential Energy

Any object that is above the ground, hanging from something or on top of a slope has
gravitational potential energy.
The amount of gravitational potential energy an object has depends on its
mass and its height from the ground.
Objects with more mass have more potential energy. If two different balls are at the same
height above the ground, the ball with more mass will have more gravitational potential
energy.
The higher an object is from the ground, the more potential energy it has. If two identical
balls (same mass) are at different heights above the ground, the ball that is higher up will
have more gravitational potential energy.

•Elastic Potential Energy

stretched
A form of potential energy which is stored in rubber bands, stretched springs and
compressed springs.

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Energy Forms, Uses and Conversions – NOTES

Energy changes

Remember: Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only change from one form to
another.

• During photosynthesis

Light energy (from the Sun) → Chemical potential energy (Stored as food in the plant)

• When a battery is used in a close electric circuit with a bulb

Chemical potential energy (Stored in the battery) → Electrical energy (carried by current in
the circuit) → Light energy (given off by the bulb) + Heat energy (given off by the bulb)

• During respiration

Chemical potential energy (from food) → Heat energy (warms the body) + Kinetic energy
(when we move) + Other usable energy (used in other life processes)

• When a ball falls from a height

Gravitational potential energy → Kinetic energy

• In power stations

Gravitational potential energy (of stored water) → Kinetic energy (of moving water) →
Kinetic energy (of turbine) → Electrical energy

• In fuel-burning power stations

Chemical potential energy (of fuels) → Heat energy → Kinetic energy (of steam) → Kinetic
energy (of turbine) → Electrical energy

Bulb

Battery
A fuel-burning power station

Hydroelectric power station Switch

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Activity 1 – Hands-on Activity: Rubber band energy

Objective: To observe relationship between kinetic energy and potential energy.

Materials: Rubber band, a paper cup sliced in half lengthwise, a ruler

Procedure:
1. Stretch the rubber band to three different lengths – short stretch, medium stretch, and
long stretch. Each length of the rubber band is a “condition” of the experiment.
2. Conduct 3 trials for each condition.
3. For the 3 trials for each condition, make sure the rubber band is stretched exactly the
same length and that the cup starts in the exact same place.
4. Carefully aim the rubber band at the same spot on the cup (so the cup will move in the
same direction).
5. Record how far the cup moves for each trial. Then calculate the mean distance for each
of the 3 conditions.

Discussion questions:
1. What is the energy conversion from the hand to the cup moving?
2. Will it be a softer or louder sound from the cup when the rubber band is
stretched further?

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Activity 2 – MCQs

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Changed variable
1. An engineer wanted to find out how the design of wind turbines affects the amount of
electricity generated. He used 3 different wind turbines as shown below.

measured variable

5m
5m 10m

Blade

Design A Design B Design

C
He fitted the 3 designs to 3 similar generators and placed them in the same field. A few
days later, he recorded his observations in the table below.

Electricity generated
Design Length of blade (m) Number of blades
(units)
A 5 3 3000
B 10 3 14000
C 5 6 5000
What can he conclude from the results above?
A: More blades generate more electricity. Comparing design A and C
B: Fewer blades generate more electricity.
C: Longer blades generate more electricity. Comparing A and B
D: Shorter blades generate more electricity.

(1) A and C only

(2) A and D only
(3) B and C only
(4) B and D only

( 1 )

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

2. Which of the following most accurately shows the energy conversion of a battery-
powered torch?
Torch light uses battery => potential
energy ( So never start with electrical energy)

Start energy conversion with electrical torch

energy only when electrical appliances are used
(1) electrical energy → light energy → heat energy
(2) chemical potential energy → light energy → heat energy
(3) electrical energy → chemical potential energy → light energy+ heat energy
(4) chemical potential energy → electrical energy → light energy + heat energy

( )

3. The picture below shows some solar panels found on the roof of a water treatment plant.
Solar panels trap light not heat energy

Solar panel

The solar panels use energy from the Sun to power the lights in the water treatment
plant.

Which of the following correctly shows the energy conversion that allows the lights in the
water treatment plant to be powered using the Sun?

(1) light energy → light energy + heat energy

(2) electrical energy → light energy + heat energy
(3) heat energy → electrical energy → light energy + heat energy
(4) light energy → electrical energy → light energy + heat energy

( 4 )

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

4. Boris skateboarded on the ramp as shown in the diagram below. He started at Point A
and moved down the ramp towards Point D.
At A, max GPE

B D
At C,max KE, 0 KE
C
Which point does Boris have the greatest kinetic energy?

(1) A Why the skater cannot move higher than D?

(2) B Some KE has been converted to heat and sound energy.
(3) C
(4) D ( 3 )
GPE before hammer was released.

5. A wooden hammer tied to a string was released. It swung and hit the plastic bottle. The
bottle fell.

string

hammer

plastic bottle

Which of the following shows the correct energy conversion?

(1) Kinetic energy of hammer → potential energy of the hammer → kinetic energy of the
bottle
(2) Potential energy of hammer → kinetic energy of the hammer → kinetic energy of the
bottle
(3) Potential energy of hammer → kinetic energy of the bottle → potential energy of the
bottle
(4) Kinetic energy of hammer → potential energy of the bottle → kinetic energy of the
bottle
( )

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

6. Irene placed a ball at position G on a table. The ball rolled to position H, rolled down the
table and landed at position K. It then continued to roll till it came to a stop at position L,
as shown below.
G H

table top

stop
floor
K L

Which of the following statements are correct?.

A: The kinetic energy of the ball decreases from K to L. T
T as the ball is moving and it
B: The ball has kinetic energy and potential energy at H. is raised to a certain height.
c: The potential energy of the ball increases from H to K.
D: The potential energy of the ball increases from H to K.

(1) A and B only

(2) A and C only
(3) B and D only
(4) C and D only
( )
Has elastic potential energy
7. The table below shows how far a wound-up toy train can move when the key is given a
different number of turns each time.

Number of turns 1 2 4 6 8 10
Distance moved (cm) 5 10 20 30 40 50

If Jeremy wants the toy train to move a distance of 44cm, what is the least number of
turns that he needs to make?
State the energy conversion of the toy car from the moment
(1) 6 turns the spring is turned till the car stopped moving.
(2) 7 turns
(3) 8 turns
(4) 9 turns
( 4 )
elastic potential energy-> kinetic energy of moving car --> heat and sound energy

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

8. Tony and Mark, with the same mass, were descending from X and Y of a tall tower
respectively to land at Z as shown in the diagram below. The ropes used at X and Y
were the same.
Why does Tony reach point Z first? X has more GPE as it is
Tony is at X which is higher than Y so he has MORE GPE X higher than Y.
which is converted to MORE KE so he moves faster
and he reaches point Z first. Tony

Tower

Z Mark

Who will reach Point Z first and why?

(1) Mark as his position is closer to Point Z than Tony.

(2) Tony as he has greater potential energy than Mark.
(3) Tony as he is heavier than Mark and has more potential energy.
(4) Mark as he gains more kinetic energy than Tony since he is at a lower position.

( )

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

9. The diagram shows how the spring inside the kitchen scale works when measuring the
mass of an object.

when nothing is placed on the when an object is placed

kitchen scale on the kitchen scale

Length of
spring

compression
of spring

Mrs Ong used the kitchen scale to measure the mass of four objects, A, B, C and D. She
measured and recorded the length of the spring when each object was placed on the
kitchen scale.
Elastic PE is found in extended or compressed springs.
Object A B C D
Length of spring (cm) 15 7 4 12

Which object caused the spring to possess the greatest amount of elastic potential
energy when it was placed on the kitchen scale?

(1) Object A Spring C is compressed the MOST so it has the most

elastic PE.
(2) Object B
(3) Object C
(4) Object D
3
( )

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

10. Jane hung 3 metal balls, J, K and L, one at a time, from a string and released each one
from either position X or Y. means the object hasGPE
at first

metal ball (j, K, L)

ceiling X
string

bell
Y

The table below shows the mass of each metal ball and the position from which each ball
was released.
GPE depends on height and mass

Metal Ball Mass of metal ball (g) Position released from

J 200 X
K 100 Y
L 200 Y

Using a datalogger, she recorded the sound level when the metal balls hit the bell in the
table below.

Which of the following shows the likely sound level recorded for each metal ball? (Sound
is measured in decibels or db. A high decibel reading means a loud sound has been
detected.)
J is the heaviest and it is released from highest position so it has MOST GPE which is converted
to MOST KE to hit the bell to produce the loudest sound.
Metal Ball J (db) Metal Ball K (db) Metal Ball L (db)
(1) 100 100 150
(2) 150 100 150
(3) 250 100 150
(4) 250 150 100

( )

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Activity 3 – Open-ended Questions

1. Ian carried out an experiment using a metal ball.

This PSLE qn came out between 1997- 1999.

Ball
2cm
1cm

Dent

r= radius of circle
2 radius (2r = diameter)
He dropped the ball from a height of 50 cm onto a container of sand. The ball created a
circular dent which was 2 cm in diameter and 1 cm deep.
relationship qn/ conclusion qn / how will the height of each drop affect the depth of dent?
(a) Ian dropped the metal ball from different heights. State how the depth of the dent
increase/ decrease
would change with the height of each drop. [1]

_________________________________________________________________
As the height of each drop increases, the depth of the dent also increases.
_________________________________________________________________

(b) Write down the energy changes as the metal ball is dropped from a height of
50 cm. [1]

Gravitational Ke of
moving ball heat sound
potential
energy energy energy energy

(in ball held above (in falling ball) (in ball as it drops into the sand)
sand)

(c) People may be injured when they are hit by objects thrown out from the high floor
of a tall building. Give a reason for this. [1]
Objects thrown from high floor has MORE GPE --> which is converted to MORE KE. Hen ce it can injure
_________________________________________________________________
people more.

_________________________________________________________________

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

2. Darren made a rubber band toy car as shown below.

Wooden stick
Cardboard

Rubber band
P elastic PE

Wheel

He turned the wheels to roll the rubber band around the wooden stick 10 times at
position P and placed his toy car on the table. The toy car moved forward across the table.

(a) State the energy conversion that takes place from the time he released the toy
car on the table until it comes to a stop. [2]

elastic PE
______________________ kinetic
______________________

energy energy
of the rubber band of the toy car

heat
______________________
energy
+

sound
______________________
energy

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

(b) Without changing the set-up of the toy, suggest a way Darren can make his toy
car move further. [1]

Roll the rubber band more times [0M]

________________________________________________________________
Roll the rubber band more than 10 times [1m]
________________________________________________________________

Darren wanted to find out if the number of turns of the rubber band affects the distance
travelled by the toy car. He placed the toy car first on a wooden table, then on a plastic
table during his experiment. However, his brother told him that his experiment was not
fair.

(c) Explain why Darren’s experiment was not fair. [1]

There are 2 changed variables in the expt.

________________________________________________________________

The changed variable is the no of turns given to the rubber band. All other variables such
________________________________________________________________
as surface the toy car moves on must be kept the same.
(d) Besides the one that is mentioned in (c), list another variable that has to be kept
the same in the experiment for it to be a fair test. To answer kind of qn, refer to the diagram
[1]
and observe.
________________________________________________________________

Starting point to release the toy car

________________________________________________________________
Type of toy car (same mass, same design)

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

3. A marble was released on the set up at point A as shown below.

E
A marble

C G

B D F

(a) Describe the changes in the gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy of
the marble from point A to point B. [1]

At________________________________________________________________
A, the marble has max GPE which is converted to max KE.

________________________________________________________________

(b) Will the amount of kinetic energy in the marble at B be greater or smaller if the
surface of the slope is smoother? Explain why. [1]

Use friction (forces) concept to answer.

________________________________________________________________
With a smoother surface, there is lesser friction between the surface and the marble.
________________________________________________________________

(c) Would the marble be able to reach point E of the set up? Give a reason for your
answer. [1]

Cannot. Marble was released at A which is a lower position than E. Hence the GPE which
________________________________________________________________
is converted to KE is not enough to move the marble to E.
________________________________________________________________

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

4. A metal ball, X, was tied to a string hanging from a support. After ball X was released at
position A, it began to swing towards position B and then upwards to position C.

A X Max GPE, 0 KE
At A, max GPE, 0 KE
C

B
max KE

(a) In the graph below, write P or Q in the correct boxes to show the energy
conversion of ball X as it moved from position A to C. [2]

(i) P, gravitational potential energy

(ii) Q, kinetic energy

Energy (J)
P GPE

Q , KE Time
A B C

(b) After ball X was released, it was observed that the ball slowed down and did not
return to position A. Explain the observation in terms of energy conversion. [2]

Some of the KE is converted to heat energy when the ball overcomes air resistance.
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

5. Man likes to make observations and apply the knowledge gained to improve his life.
Man has learnt to harness heat energy to do work for him.

Study the diagram below carefully.

paper cup A B

candle

(a) What can be observed about the position of the cups in the set-up above after
some time? Explain the observation. [2]

Cup A tilted upwards, B downwards.

________________________________________________________________
Heat from the candle warms up the surrounding
air. Hot air rises, has KE and it pushes cup A upwards
________________________________________________________________

Some people in Taiwan have a tradition of releasing paper lanterns into the air. The
lanterns float in the air using the same scientific principle as above.

Lit solid fuel at the base of

paper lantern

(b) What will happen when the fuel has been used up? Explain your answer. [2]

Paper lantern drops as no more heat to warm up the surrounding air in the latern.
_________________________________________________________________
Hence no hot air to rise in the lantern and KE to push lantern upwards.
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

6. A pile driver is a machine used to drive piles into soil. The pile driver includes a heavy
weight that is able to slide up and down freely in a support arm. The weight is raised
above a pile and then released. The weight falls on the pile and drives it into the ground.

GPE depends on height and mass

GPE

Support Heavy
Heavy weight is
arm weight
able to slide up
Pile and down
Support
Movement arm
of pile

Pile

A construction company needed to complete the driving of the piles for their buildings in a
shorter time.

(a) State 2 ways that the company can adopt to ensure that the pile is driven into
a greater depth each time it is pounded by the weight?. [2]

Raise the weight highter as MORE GPE will be convertedc to MORE KE

(i) _____________________________________________________________

Increase the mass of the weight

(ii) _____________________________________________________________

(b) After the change that took place in (a), residents near the construction site started
to complain about the increased level of noise coming from the site. Explain why
there was an increase in the level of noise. [1]

MORE GPE is converted to MORE KE which is in turn converted to MORE sound energy
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

(c) Write the energy changes from the moment the weight is dropped in the boxes
below [1]

GPE of the KE of the sound energy heat energy

weight weight

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Activity 4 – Fun Facts: Carbon dioxide as the future of fuel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb_8DJF6Hp0

Discussion Questions:

1. What reacts with carbon dioxide to produce the fuel?

2. How does this technology help save the environment?

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 Primary 6 PAL Science

Activity 5 – Science in daily life: Waste to energy research in Singapore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo-pdOjE2ik

Discussion Questions:

1. Slag and metal alloy are some products from the recycling incinerator. What
are the uses?

2. How does Syngas produce electricity? Explain the energy conversion

involved in this process.

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