What Is Energy?
With an introduction to the ideas of energy, students discuss specific energy types and practical energy sources. Associated hands-on activities help them identify energy types in their surroundings and enhance their understanding of the concept of energy.
Students learn about energy types and sourcesCopyright 2016, Kenueone, Pixabay, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Renewable_Energy_on_the_Grid.jpg
We use energy in all its forms almost every day. Engineers study these forms of energy to help create things that make our lives easier. Currently, engineers are looking for better ways to produce electricity to keep energy affordable and less destructive to the environment. They are also investigating alternative fuel sources for use in vehicles, such as biofuels from algae and hydrogen from water.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define energy and identify the different types that exist.
- Define potential and kinetic energy.
- Relate specific energy types to different engineering projects.
- Describe the role of engineering in finding and testing various energy sources for electricity production.