P5/6 science

Conductors Of Electricity

Maureen sets up an experiment as shown below. Study it carefully and answer questions 1 and 2.

iron plate steel plate

liquid that is tested

1. The same set-up has been used to test three different types of liquid. The results are shown below.

Brightness of bulb
Types of liquid
Bright Brighter Brightest
Liquid X 
Liquid Y 
Liquid Z 

Based on the information given above, what is the aim of the experiment?
(1) To find out if the type of metal affects the brightness of the bulb
(2) To find out if all the liquids conducts electricity
(3) To find out if the type of liquid affects the brightness of the bulb
(4) To find out if metals allow electricity to pass through ( )

2. Maureen’s experiment has been done wrongly. What should she alter in order to carry out a fair
test?
(1) Remove two of the batteries from the set-up.
(2) Change the bulb to one with bigger voltage.
(3) Replace the metal plates with metal rods.
(4) Use two metal plates of the same material. ( )

3. Which one of the following ways is not helping to conserve electricity?

(1) Making sure that the refrigerator is overloaded with food items to maximize its use
(2) Use ceiling fans instead of the air conditioner
(3) Switching off the light when no one is in the room
(4) Switching off the electrical appliances after use ( )

3. 1 2. 4 Answers: 1. 3

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Forms And Uses Of Energy

Energy
Energy is the ability to do work.
There are many different forms of energy. These include:
• potential energy
• kinetic energy
• sound energy
• light energy
• heat energy
• electrical energy
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form to another.
For example, when we turn on a battery-operated radio, the following energy conversion takes place:
is converted to
chemical electrical energy sound energy + heat energy
potential (that flows within the (the music or other (some heat energy may
radio circuits) radio programmes be given out due to the
energy we listen to) heating of the internal
(in the batteries)
parts of the radio after
long hours of use)

The sound energy is the useful energy output while the heat energy is the unwanted energy output.
We use an arrow ( ) to represent ‘is converted to’.
Here are some other common energy conversions.
• in a light bulb

electrical energy heat energy + light energy

• in a television set

electrical energy light energy + sound energy + heat energy

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Forms And Uses Of Energy

• in a solar-powered water heater

heat energy electrical energy heat energy heat energy

(from the sun) (to provide power to (of the heating element (of the water
the electrical water in the water heater coming out from
heater) used to heat the water) the shower)

Energy can be stored for later use.

For example, a battery stores energy in the form of chemical potential energy.
Solar cells capture sunlight and store the energy for later use.
Anything that provides us with energy is known as an energy source.
The sun is our main source of energy.

heat energy light energy

- to keep the earth warm - for plants to photosynthesize
and make food
light energy - the food produced is stored in
- to light up the earth the plant parts, and plant eaters
sun obtain their food from the plants
(primary consumers). Therefore,
solar energy all plants and animals depend
- a cheap, pollution-free on the sun either directly or
source of energy which can indirectly for survival.
be stored in solar cells for
later use

Other energy sources include:

• fuels (coal, oil, petroleum, natural gas)
- used to provide power to motor vehicles, machines
- used to power up electricity generators in power stations

A motor vehicle A generator in a power station

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Forms And Uses Of Energy

• wind
- used to turn large wind turbines to generate power

Some wind turbines

• food
- the food we eat is oxidized in the body to provide energy for life processes

Eating a meal to obtain energy

• batteries
- contain chemical potential energy which is converted into electrical energy to provide power
to run various battery-operated devices

A battery-operated toy bear

• running water
- in hydroelectric power stations, the running water helps to turn powerful turbines to generate
electricity

• power stations
Most power stations generate electricity by burning large amounts of fossil fuels (coal, oil
and natural gas). The electricity generated is supplied to homes, offices and factories through
underground electrical cables.
Some countries have nuclear power stations which generate electricity from powerful nuclear
reactions of radioactive atoms such as uranium and plutonium. While a lot of energy can be
produced in this way, it is highly dangerous as nuclear power stations face risks such as terrorist
attacks and nuclear accidents.

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Forms And Uses Of Energy

Potential Energy
Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or condition.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Gravitational potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its height above the ground.
Gravitational potential energy exists because the force of the earth’s gravity acts on all objects.
The higher above the ground an object is placed, the greater its gravitational potential energy.

A
boy throwing a stone
into a river
Splash!
SPLASH!
B
river

Although both stone A and stone B have the same weight and size, stone A produces a bigger splash than
stone B because it is dropped from a higher place. Stone A possesses more gravitational potential energy
than stone B.
In both cases, the energy conversion is as follows:
gravitational potential energy of falling stone → kinetic energy of falling stone → kinetic energy of
splashing water + sound energy of splashing water
All objects that are at a height above the ground possess gravitational potential energy.

Elastic Potential Energy

Elastic potential energy is the potential energy stored in an object that can be deformed and then returned
to its original shape. A stretched rubber band or wound-up spring has elastic potential energy.
For example, a wind-up toy car stores elastic potential energy when it is wound.
elastic potential energy (stored in wound-up spring) → kinetic energy of moving toy car

A wind-up toy car moves across the floor.

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Forms And Uses Of Energy

The more turns of the key we make, the tighter the spring is wound. Hence, the greater the amount of
elastic potential energy is stored. This greater amount of elastic potential energy is converted to a greater
amount of kinetic energy. Thus, the toy car will move a further distance before stopping.

Chemical Potential Energy

Chemical potential energy is the energy stored in food, fuels or batteries.

When a ball is kicked,

chemical potential kick kinetic energy of the kinetic energy of ball as it

energy (present in boy’s leg muscles as he moves + gravitational potential
the food the boy ate) kicks the ball energy of the ball as it moves
up above the ground level

The chemical potential energy present in fuels and batteries is converted into electrical energy to power
up electrical appliances.

Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or the energy possessed by a moving
object.
The faster the movement of an object, the greater its kinetic energy.
The wind is a source of kinetic energy. Wind energy can be used to turn windmills to generate
electricity.

wind

Wind energy is also useful to sailors as it helps to push the boats across the water surface. However, if the
wind gets too strong, it may cause the boat to capsize.

wind

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Forms And Uses Of Energy

An example of the great amount of energy possessed by strong winds can be seen in the vast destruction
a typhoon or hurricane can cause.

In the aftermath of a typhoon or a hurricane

Running water is another source of kinetic energy.

The huge amount of kinetic energy in the water of a waterfall can be used to spin water turbines connected
to generators to produce electricity in a hydroelectric power station.

generator

One of the generators in a hydroelectric power station

The kinetic energy of running water can be used to transport logs down a running river.

Logs floating downstream

Sound Energy
Sound energy is the energy produced by a vibrating object.
Sound is useful to us in many ways.
• We communicate with other people using sound, either directly with our voices or through
telecommunications devices such as telephones.
• Sound can be used as warning signals (e.g. the siren of the ambulance or the fire alarm) or as
information signals to draw our attention (e.g. the ringing of the school bell to signal the start or
end of school or the sound of an alarm clock to wake us up in the morning).
• Sound can provide us with entertainment and / or relaxation (e.g. when listening to music or
watching television).
However, sounds that are too loud may hurt our eardrums.
Unpleasant or unwanted sounds are called noise.
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