Name: Aamir Zain G.

Blah______________________________________ Date: Apr 5

Grade 6 -G Score:

Student Exploration: Energy Conversions

Find out how electrical current is generated and how living things get energy to move and grow by
using this Gizmo Activity. Trace the path of energy and see how energy is converted from one form
to another。

Type to enter text

Learning Objectives:
1. Create energy pathways to show where our energy comes from.
2. Describe the different forms of energy.
3. Identify ways that energy is converted from one form to another.
3. Determine that sunlight is the primary source of most of the usable energy on Earth.
4. Describe four types of renewable resources.

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

1. What are sources of electricity? List as many as you can. (2 points)

The natural causes of electricity is when lightning strikes and electric eels that can cause

enough electricity to kill a horse. But recent technology shows that solar, wind and friction can

produce electricity using different machines like for example a wind turbine or a solar panel

2. Where do people and other animals get energy to move around? (2 points)

They get energy from the food they eat because of the digestive system that absorbs

nutrients and vitamins to give energy to the orgasm,

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3. Where do plants get energy to live and grow? (1 point)

Plants use a system called photosynthesis which turn solar energy into food which they

consume and thus they grow

Get the Gizmo ready:

Activity A:
When you open the Energy Conversions Gizmo, you
Energy Paths would see two options, Information and Path Mode.
• Select the Path mode.

1. Form hypothesis: Where do you think we humans get energy? (1 point)

Food

2. Create a path: You will now form an energy path to see where our energy comes from.

A. Click on the person and read. Where do people get energy? (1 point)
Food

B. Now click on the chicken. Where does the chicken get energy? (1 point)
Food

C. Click on the corn. Where does the corn get energy? (1 point)

Sun

D. Click on the Sun. How does the Sun get energy? (1 point)

Itself

E. Fill in the energy path below starting with the Sun. (1 point)

Person →Chicken → Corn→Sun

3. Apply: Click Reset and then click on the toaster. Using the Gizmo, create four energy paths
to explain how the toaster could get its energy. (One path will only have three objects.)
(4 points)

A. Wind turbine → Toaster → ______________

B. Solar panel → Toaster → ______________

C. Dam → Toaster → ______________

D. Corn → Ethanol plant → Toaster

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4. Analyze: Where does each path begin? (1 point)
It begins on a power source

5. Draw conclusions: What would life on Earth be like without the Sun? (1 point)
Instant freeze

Activity B: Get the Gizmo ready:

Energy • Click Reset.
Conversions • Check that Path mode is still selected.

1. Create path: Create an energy path in the Gizmo, starting at the Sun. For each step of the
path, describe the energy conversion that takes place. The first one is done for you. Discuss
your answers with your classmates and teacher. (6 points)

Energy Path Energy conversion

____Sun_____ Nuclear energy is converted to light and thermal energy.

_______Air_____ Sun heats up earth making wind

_______Wind Wind turbine spins making a generator make electricity

turbine_____
Music flows out thanks to electricity out of a cone
Stereo

2. On your own: Create another energy path on the Gizmo. List the energy conversions that
happen along the path. (1 point)

3. Apply: Where in the Gizmo (and in real life) do the following energy conversions occur?

Chemical to thermal to electrical current (1 point):Solar panel

Gravitational potential to kinetic to electrical current (1 point):

Water is about to fall then fall (river) and dam makes electricity

Get the Gizmo ready:

Extension:
• Click Reset.
Renewable Energy • Select the Information mode.

Introduction: Over 80% of our energy comes from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas,
and coal. Fossil fuels are fairly cheap and plentiful, but there are several problems:
• Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources. That means there is a limited supply. Once
the world runs out, there is no way to get more.

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 • Burning fossil fuels adds carbon dioxide to the air. Most scientists agree that this causes
the gradual warming of Earth’s climate, or global warming.

Question: What types of energy do not harm our environment?

1. Describe: Four examples of renewable resources are featured in the Energy Conversions
Gizmo. These resources are produced all the time, so they will not run out. Read about each
energy source, and then explain how each is produced in your own words. (4 points)

A. Wind power: Wind turbine spin cause of wind and generator make electricity

B. Water power (also called hydroelectricity): Dams turbines spin cause of water and
generator make electricity

C. Solar power: Sunlight electrons flow through wires and make electricity

D. Ethanol: Burn alcohol to make energy

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