Energy around us
Energy makes things happen.
What is energy?
Energy is what makes things happen. You need energy to run, think, grow and keep warm. Machines need energy to work, and plants need energy from the Sun to grow.
Energy cannot be seen or held, but we can see what it does. Whenever something moves, heats up, lights up or makes a sound, energy is being used.
Forms of energy
Energy comes in different forms. Light energy lets us see. Heat energy makes things warmer. Sound energy lets us hear. Movement energy is the energy of moving things, like wind, running water and a rolling ball.
Electrical energy runs fans, lights and phones. Food, fuels and batteries contain stored energy that can be released later.
Energy everywhere
Running water has movement energy. It can turn water wheels. Wind has movement energy. It moves sailing boats on the Padma and turns wind turbines. Your body has stored energy from the food you eat.
Water wheels once ground grain in many villages. Today, the movement energy of water at Kaptai dam turns machines that make electricity.
Energy makes things change
Energy causes changes. Heat energy cooks rice and melts ice. Movement energy from a kick sends a ball flying. Without energy, nothing would move or change.
Clay ovens, gas stoves and electric rice cookers all give heat energy to food. The heat changes the food, so it becomes soft and safe to eat.
What I learnt
- I know that energy makes things happen.
- I can name forms of energy: light, heat, sound, movement, electrical and stored energy.