Energy Systems Student Handout

Work, in the scientific sense of the word, is usually defined as the e

transfer of energy from one physical system to another. For example, the
transfer of energy to a car by the application of a moving train does the
work necessary to move the car through some distance. Work is calculated
as the product of the force and the distance through which the body
moves and is expressed in joules, ergs, and foot-pounds.

A system is an organized group of parts that are assembled in a way that

allows them to do work that moving train again. A system might also be
your arm with a hammer held in your hand or a car engine that drives
propels a car.

According to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy of a

system remains constant, though energy may transform into another form.
Two billiard balls colliding, for example, may come to rest, with the
resulting energy coming out as the sound of the impact and perhaps a bit
of heat at the point of collision.

Thenextsimulationallowsyoutoexperimentwithenergyandseveraldifferentsystems.
YourteachermayhavedownloadedthesimulationEnergyFormsandChanges.Ifnotgo
tohttp://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/energyformsandchangesClickonthegreenRun
Now!buttontodownloadthesimulation.WhenithasdownloadedmakesuretheEnergy
Sytstemstabontheupperrightisselected.

Image:EnergyFormsandChangesPhETInteractiveSimulations,UniversityofColorado
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/energyformsandchanges
Licensedattributionnoncommercial,nonderivative.

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Created by The North Carolina School of Science and Math.
Copyright 2012. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Thesimulationallowsyoutoconstructseveraldifferentsystemwith3typesof
interchangeableparts.Ontheleftare4differentenergysourcesfallingwater,sunlighta
boilingkettle(steam)andabicycle.Inthecenteraretwodifferentwaysofconvertingenergy
toelectricityawheelattachedtoanelectricgeneratorandasolarpanelattachedtoan
electricgeneratorandfinally,thethirdsetofcomponentsthatusetheenergyareahotwater
heatingunit(withthermometer),anincandescentlightbulbandacompactflorescentbulb.
Rearrangingthesepartsallowsyouexaminehowenergyistransferredinasystemtoproduce
workwarmthewaterorlightthebulbs.

Water Wheel Hot Water Heater | Incandescent bulb |

Incandescent bulb

Prediction:

The water will turn the wheel which will power the hot water heater
////// and bulbs.

Simulation:

My prediction was corrected for the hot water heater and the bulbs.
The / water turned the wheel, which powered the
various things attached to /// it. Energy moved from the
water to the wheel to the water heater/water and bulbs. The water
and bulbs release the energy. The speed at which the water heats is
affected by the amount of water released, the more water released
the quicker the water heats. Some energy is released by the water
and bulbs.

Sunlight Wheel Hot Water Heater | Incandescent bulb |

Incandescent bulb

Prediction:

The sunlight will be unable to power the wheel, so none of the items
will //// be able to turn on.

Simulation:

The sun shines on the wheel but it does not turn, whether or not
there ///// are clouds present or not. The wheel does not
power any other items. ///// My prediction was correct. The
energy is released by the sun by is not ///// collected by the
wheel.

2
Created by The North Carolina School of Science and Math.
Copyright 2012. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Steam Wheel Hot Water Heater | Incandescent bulb |
Incandescent bulb

Prediction:

The steam will turn the wheel but not as fast as the water does, the
water heater and bulbs will still turn on but it will take longer.

Simulation:

My prediction was partly correct. The steam turns the wheel which
????????? power the water heater and bulbs. Energy move from
the fire into the ??? pot escapes through steam which
turns the wheel then moves to the //// water heater/water
and bulbs which release the energy into the air. If the heat is set low
the it takes longer for the water to be heated and the bulbs to turn
on.

Bicycle Wheel Hot Water Heater | Incandescent bulb |

Incandescent bulb

Prediction:

The bicycle will turn the wheel which will power the water heater and
bulbs.

Simulation:

My prediction was partly correct. The person turns the bicycle, which
turns the wheel, the wheel powers the water heater and bulbs which
release the energy. Energy moves from the person, to the bicycle
the to wheel and from the wheel to the water heater/water and
bulbs. The water and the bulbs release the energy. The person has to
be feed so that she/he will continue to ride the bicycle. The water
heater takes longer to work and the light bulbs dont shine as bright.

Water Solar Panel Hot Water Heater | Incandescent bulb |

Incandescent bulb

Prediction:

The water will be unable to power the solar panel which will not
3
Created by The North Carolina School of Science and Math.
Copyright 2012. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
 power the water heater or bulbs.

Simulation:

My prediction was correct. The energy does not move from the water
to the solar panel.

Steam Solar Panel Hot Water Heater | Incandescent bulb |

Incandescent bulb

Prediction:

The steam will be unable to power the solar panel which will not
power the water heater or bulbs.

Simulation:

My prediction was correct. The steam does not power the water
heater or bulbs. Energy moves from the power into the pot then into
steam which is released into the air and the energy is lost.

Sunlight Solar Panel Hot Water Heater | Incandescent bulb |

Incandescent bulb

Prediction:

The sun will power the solar panel which will power the water heater
and bulbs.

Simulation:

My prediction was correct. The sun powers the solar panel which will
power the water heater and bulbs. Energy moves from the sun into
the solar panel, then into the water heater/water and bulbs which
release the energy into air. The solar panel takes a little longer to
heat the water than the wheel. The addition of clouds stops the
energy flow when there is a lot and reduces it when there is few
clouds.

Bicycle Solar Panel Hot Water Heater | Incandescent bulb |

Incandescent bulb

4
Created by The North Carolina School of Science and Math.
Copyright 2012. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Prediction:

The bicycle will be unable to power the solar panel which will not
power the water heater or bulbs.

Simulation:

My prediction was correct. The bicycle does not power the water
heater or bulbs. Energy moves from the person into the bicycle then
is lost.

5
Created by The North Carolina School of Science and Math.
Copyright 2012. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.