Forms of Energy

Third-Fourth Grade
 Light
•Light is an energy that we can see.
•The Sun is our main source of energy.
•Light travels from its source in straight
lines in all directions.
•Three sources of light energy is from the
Sun, fire, and electricity.
 Heat
•Thermal energy travels through objects and space as
heat.
•Thermal energy is the total energy of all the particles
in matter.
• Thermal energy moves as heat from a warmer object
to a cooler object.
•When energy changes form, some heat is given off.
•Heat energy can be added or released from matter.
•You can measure the change caused by heat energy.
 Sound
•Sounds are all around you.
•All sounds are made when matter moves.
•Sound happens when matter moves back and forth,
or vibrates.
•Pitch describes how low or high a sound is. Slow
vibrations cause a low pitch. Fast vibrations cause a
high pitch.
•Sound travels fastest is solids, less quickly in liquid,
and slowest in air.
•Sound travels in waves.
 Electricity

•Electrical energy is the energy that can

pass through wires.
•This form of energy can change into
forms that can run the appliances in our
homes.
•We rely on electricity for most of our
everyday needs.
 Mechanical Energy

•Mechanical energy is the energy

of moving objects.
•The moving parts of our machines
and playground equipment have
this form of energy.
•Mechanical energy is the energy
of motion.