Slide 1 UES / Bright Students Title Slide Slide 2 Energy Introduction Energy. It s in you, your home, your environment it s in everyone and it s everywhere. Energy is what moves us, what makes life happen. Slide 3 Thanks to Energy Today, thanks to energy we can: surf the net, chat with friends and do homework on a computer, watch a movie, play videogames, listen to music, cook dinner, or just turn on a light. Slide 4 Energy Use Energy is also used to power school buses, cars, planes, and trains. It is used to harvest food, transport food to our communities, and manufacture things such as clothing, toys, books, ipods, and furniture. In fact almost everything in our lives requires energy in some form. Even this presentation takes energy! Question to students (Questions 1 & 2 on the Student Worksheet): Can you think of something you did or used today that required energy? Record responses on chart paper or on the board. Give students time to record selected responses on their Student Worksheets. Can you think of something that you are doing right now that requires energy? Have students record their responses on their Student Worksheets. Slide 5 Humans Harness Energy All living things also need energy for life. One amazing thing that sets humans apart from other animals is that we have learned to capture, harness and transform energy to do work for us to accomplish great feats or simply make life a little easier. Slide 6 What is Energy? (Question 3 on the Student Worksheet) Energy is defined as the ability to do work. Energy comes in different forms and each form offers a unique ability to do work. Forms of energy that people are familiar with include light energy heat energy sound energy chemical energy and the energy of motion. Question to students (Question 4 on the Student Worksheet):
Can you think of a way we use each of these forms of energy? Slide 7 Kinetic and Potential All forms of energy can be classified into two categories: kinetic or potential. Slide 8 Kinetic Energy (Question 5 on the Student Worksheet) Kinetic energy is the energy of motion and includes energy forms such as [CLICK] electrical (the movement of electrons), [CLICK] thermal (movement of atoms and molecules), [CLICK] radiant (the movement of electromagnetic waves), [CLICK] motion (the movement of objects) and [CLICK] sound (which also moves in waves). Slide 9 Potential Energy (Question 6 on the Student Worksheet) Potential energy is stored energy or the energy of position. Forms of potential energy include chemical (energy stored in the bonds of atoms), stored mechanical (energy stored in objects by application of a force), nuclear (energy stored in the nucleus of an atom), and gravitational (energy of position such a water held behind a dam or a rock on top of a hill). Slide 10 Energy Can Change Forms (Question 7 on the Student Worksheet) An important and amazing thing about energy is that IT CAN CHANGE FORMS! Here is an example: When you eat breakfast in the morning, you are eating a form of chemical potential energy (measured in calories). Your bodies transform the chemical energy of food into mechanical energy that allows you to move and do work like riding a bike. Slide 11: Energy Transformations Radiant to Chemical Energy transformation is a basic characteristic of energy. Because energy can change forms, we can put it to work for us. Some other examples of energy transformation include: Radiant light energy is changed into chemical energy by plants during photosynthesis. Slide 12: Energy Transformations Electrical to Radiant and Thermal Electrical energy changes to radiant and thermal energy when we turn on a light bulb. Question to students (Question 8 on the Student Worksheet): Can you think of another way we transform energy to do work for us?
Slide 13 Energy Question Of all the different types of energy, one is used most often by humans. It is an energy that can easily be transformed into other types of energy and we use it daily. Do you know what type of energy this is? Slide 14 Electricity (Question 9 on the Student Worksheet) Electricity! Electrical energy, or electricity, is the flow of electrons. It is a uniquely versatile form of energy. It can be easily transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat, light, or mechanical energy. Because of its ability to easily change forms, we use electricity to do many things for us we put it to work! Slide 15 Energy Transformations Let s think about how we put electricity to work. Consider what happens when you turn on a light. What kinds of energy transformations occur to make this happen? Slide 16 Plugging into Coal Question to students (Question 10 on the Student Worksheet): The first thing to consider is: what is the original source? What kinds of energy sources are used to generate electricity? Brainstorm with students energy sources that are used to produce electricity (coal, oil, sun, wind, water, etc.). Slide 17 How a Coal Plant Works Transforming Energy While electricity can be produced from several sources, we will use coal as an example to show the energy transformations that must take place to light up that bulb. Starting with coal at the source (which is chemical, potential energy) Coal is burned, transforming its chemical energy into thermal energy The thermal energy is used to create steam which then spins a turbine transforming the thermal into mechanical energy The mechanical energy spins magnets within coils of copper wire which transforms the mechanical energy into electrical energy (this is the electromagnetic effect!) The electricity travels through wires to our homes And finally, electricity is transformed into heat and light energy as we turn on the light! Slide 18 Energy Transformations Summary
So just to turn on a light, at least 4 energy transformations must take place! But because of these energy transformations, we can turn on a light using the potential energy stored in coal. Question to students (Question 11 on the Student Worksheet): So, now we know the energy transformations that must take place to light a bulb from the original energy source of coal. From your list of other energy sources in Question 10, describe how one or more of these energy sources might be transformed to light a bulb. Review with students their responses to the previous question in which they brainstormed things that are used to produce electricity. Select a few of these sources and discuss how these sources might be transformed to produce electricity. Slide 19 Renewable and Non Renewable Energy Sources (Question 12 on the Student Worksheet) Currently, your community s primary source for electricity is coal. However, there are actually many energy sources from which electricity can be generated. These sources are generally classified as renewable or non renewable. Slide 20 Non Renewable Energy Sources (Question 13 on the Student Worksheet) Non renewable energy sources are limited, finite resources that do not renew themselves and thus once used, are gone. Coal is a non renewable energy source because as it is mined it does not replenish itself. Other non renewable sources include natural gas, petroleum (oil), and uranium. Each of these sources must be mined from the earth and their supply is limited. Slide 21 Fossil Fuels (Question 13 on the Student Worksheet) Coal, natural gas, and oil are also termed fossil fuels because they developed from decomposition of plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. The fossilized remains of the dead plants and animals were buried and compressed under many layers of sediment. The increased pressure and temperature over hundreds of millions of years transformed the remains into carbon rich pockets of potential energy. Thus they are called fossil fuels and, once used, are gone they are literally non renewable. Slide 22 Pollution from Fossil Fuels (Question 14 on the Student Worksheet)
Fossil fuels (as described with coal) are burned to generate electricity. Unfortunately, this process emits carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere, which pollute the environment and contribute to global climate change. As well, the mining of fossil fuels can have very damaging impacts. And because fossil fuels are non renewable, our supply is limited. Slide 23 Renewable Energy Sources (Question 15 on the Student Worksheet) Renewable energy sources are considered renewable because they are never ending they are able to replenish themselves. These include hydropower (the power of water), biomass energy (also called bioenergy from living matter), wind power (the power of moving air), geothermal energy (heat energy from the earth), and solar energy (energy from the sun). These energy sources will remain as long as there is flowing water, living matter, wind, heat from the earth, and sunshine. Question to students (Question 16 on the Student Worksheet): What are some differences between renewable and non renewable energy sources? Discuss answers to this question and give students time record their answers on their Student Worksheet. Slide 24 Turning a Turbine for the Electromagnetic Effect (Question 17 on the Student Worksheet) Like non renewable energy sources, renewable energy sources can be transformed to generate electricity. As with fossil fuels, the potential energy from these sources is transformed into mechanical energy to turn turbines which spin magnets in coils of copper wire which generates an electrical current. This process this phenomenon is known as the electromagnetic effect. Slide 25 Solar Energy Solar Thermal Solar energy is special because it can be used to generate electricity in two very different ways. One is through the electromagnetic effect, in which the heat from the sun is concentrated and used to generate steam to spin a turbine. Slide 26 Solar Energy PV In addition to the electromagnetic effect, there is another process another phenomenon for generating electricity with solar energy. The phenomenon is known as the photovoltaic effect. Photo means light and voltaic means electricity so photovoltaic means electricity generated from light.
Slide 27 The Photovoltaic Effect How a Solar Cell Works (Question 18 on the Student Worksheet) The photovoltaic effect occurs when sunlight is shone on special substances and causes electrons to flow an electric current! The main substance in which this occurs is silicon, which is one of the most abundant materials in the Earth s crust. Silicon is used to make solar cells, which are used to make solar panels, which are specifically fabricated to direct a flow of electrons that is, to generate electricity! Review How a Solar Cell Works with students pointing out that sunlight is composed of tiny particles called photons. Photons strike and excite electrons in the solar cell. This starts the flow of electrons electricity! Slide 28 Generating Electricity with Renewable Energy Sources Whether the source is solar, wind, geothermal, hydro or biomass, generating electricity with renewable energy sources avoids the environmental impacts associated with the mining and burning of fossil fuels. It also allows us to conserve non renewable energy sources. Slide 29 Environment (Question 19 on the Student Worksheet) An important thing to remember is that all of our energy sources (renewable and non renewable) are considered to be natural resources that is they come from nature the world around us our environment. When considering which energy source to use, it is very important to consider the environmental effects of using that source. How much pollution does this source produce when it is used to generate electricity? What affect does mining or otherwise extracting this source have on the overall environment? How much of this source is available? These and other questions are important to ask when considering energy sources! Question to students (Question 20 on the Student Worksheet): Can you think of some other questions to ask when considering the use of an energy source? Discuss answers to this question and give students time to record their answers on their Student Worksheet. Slide 30 Question of Abundance Since one consideration regarding energy choices is its availability, which of all the choices do you think is most abundant here in Arizona?
Slide 31 Arizona s Solar Potential (Question 21 on the Student Worksheet) Solar Energy! That s right, our state is blessed with an abundance of clean, bright sunshine. This map shows the amount of solar energy (in watt hours per square meter) reaching the ground per day. The darker the red, the more solar energy. Can you see that the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth is very high in Arizona? This means that Arizona has some of the best solar energy potential in the United States. Slide 32 Arizona s Energy Use Today (Questions 22 & 23 on the Student Worksheet) Even with our abundance of sunshine, we still rely mostly on coal for our energy, followed by natural gas and nuclear energy. Renewable sources currently provide for only 2% of our needs. New EE stands for new energy efficiency, which accounts for energy not used thanks to energy conservation and increased efficiency of the energy we do use. Slide 33 Arizona s Energy Use Tomorrow (Question 24 on the Student Worksheet) It is projected that by 2025, energy efficiency will increase to 7%. Also, Arizona will increase the use of renewable sources of energy to 16%. Coal use will be reduced to 24%, nuclear increased to 32% and natural gas to 21%. Slide 34 Energy Efficiency As our use of renewable energy sources increases, our reliance on fossil fuels will diminish. Since fossil fuels are non renewable and polluting, it makes sense to use more renewable energy. What also makes since is increasing our energy efficiency. But what exactly is energy efficiency? Slide 35 Technology Brings Energy Efficiency (Question 25 on the Student Worksheet) Energy efficiency means accomplishing the same work but with less expenditure of time and/or effort. Simply put, it means using things smarter and using smarter things! As we move into this 21st century, technology will bring us more efficient ways to generate electricity. This becomes possible as technological advances allow us to produce more electricity from a given source. It also means developing and using products that require less energy to operate. Increasing energy efficiency reduces overall energy costs, reduces consumption of
non renewable resources, and minimizes environmental impacts. Being more efficient with our energy use is something everyone can do. Slide 36 Insuring a Bright Energy Future To insure a bright energy future, save natural resources, and reduce pollution it is important that we increase the use of renewable energy sources as well as to increase energy efficiency. At the same time, there is something else that we can all do right now, something that can and does make a huge difference. Can you think of what this might be? Slide 37 Energy Conservation! (Question 26 on the Student Worksheet): We can all conserve energy! Conserving energy mean to use less energy. This reduces pollution, saves natural resources, and also saves money! Slide 38 Behavior and Products Conserving energy means to personally make smart choices in our energy use. While there are many Bright Solutions for energy conservation, we can conserve energy in two basic ways: we can modify our behavior and we can use energy efficient products. Slide 39 Modifying Behavior (Question 27 on the Student Worksheet) Modifying our behavior means changing the way we do things. In regard to energy use, this might mean: Lowering or raising the thermostat a few degrees (not super cooling rooms in the summer or over heating them in the winter) Wearing a sweater if you feel cool instead of turning on the heater Turning off the lights when you leave a room Taking a shorter shower to reduce hot water consumption Slide 40 Using Products that Promote Energy Efficient and Conservation (Question 28 on the Student Worksheet) We can also buy products that use energy more efficiently or help us to be more conservative. You can: Buy ENERGY STAR appliances (which use less energy to operate) Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) Use a timer to turn on and off lights Use a power strip with a switch to turn off electronics Slide 41 Students Can Make a Difference
UES believes that students can make a difference! UES invests in your future by helping you to learn about energy which is what we are doing right now! And UES will be visiting your classroom soon after this program! If you agree to participate, you will receive some cool, take home, energy efficient products. Slide 42 Bright Solutions and You (Question 29 on the Student Worksheet) Applying Bright Solutions today ensures a bright energy future for tomorrow. Some questions the presenter from UES will ask you is, What are you doing to save energy? and Are you using energy wisely? UES wants to know: What are your Bright Solutions? Teacher instructions to students: It s time to brainstorm ways we can help with the energy outlook for the future. Work with a partner to share and discuss three things you learned. Write down your ideas on your Student Worksheets.