What is Energy?
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Energy is the ability to do work. In science, work is any kind of movement or change. It can be a cricket chirping or a flower blooming. It can be a bird building a nest or a carpenter building a house. Even playing counts as work in science, because it takes energy. Work can take a little energy or a lot of energy. |
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Types of Energy!
Energy comes from many places. Living things get light and heat from the sun. Living things get energy from food. But that’s just the beginning of the energy story. Energy is all around us, and it’s always moving!
Light Energy |
Heat Energy |
Electrical Energy |
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Light energy is important for all living things. Light helps people and animals see. It helps plants grow. Light helps plants make food and oxygen.
Plants get water from the soil. They get carbon dioxide (a gas) from the air. Plants use light energy to change water and carbon dioxide into food and oxygen. People and animals eat the food and breathe the oxygen. |
The sun is not the only thing that makes heat. You can make heat by burning things like wood, coal and oil.
Most things that give us light also make heat. Candles, light bulbs and computers make both light and heat. Movement makes heat, too. Try rubbing your hands together very quickly. Your hands will feel warm. |
People use lots of energy. We use energy from food to work and play. Cars, trucks and buses run on energy from gasoline.
We use electrical energy for many things like TVs and air conditioners. Where does electricity come from? We use energy from water, steam, coal and other things to make electricity. |
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Let's Practice!
Saving energy helps the earth. Grab a sheet of paper and write about way you can save energy at home, school and other places. In your writing, try to write about saving each form of energy.
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