energy transfers (science)

SIGH...

what is energy?

the ability/capacity to do work or bring about change.

what are the 2 categories of energy?

potential energy and kinetic energy.

what is potential energy?

the stored energy that an object has because of its position or state.

what is kinetic energy?

the energy an object has because of its motion. a heavier object moving at a faster speed will have more kinetic energy.

list the 4 types of potential energy.

gravitational, elastic, chemical, nuclear.

what is gravitational potential energy? provide examples.

the energy stored in an object held in a vertical position, allowing gravity to pull it down. the higher and/or larger mass the object has, the more gravitational potential energy it will have.
[ ex: a book on a high shelf, an apple hanging on a tree, a skydiver before jumping ]

what is elastic potential energy? provide examples.

the energy stored in elastic materials as a result of their deformation, specifically stretching and compressing. an object at rest will not have any elastic potential energy.
[ ex: a drawn bow, a stretched rubber band, a diving board ]

what is chemical potential energy? provide examples.

the energy stored within the chemical bonds of an object.
[ ex: food, batteries, wood, explosives ]

what is nuclear potential energy? provide examples.

the power stored in the nucleus of an atom.
[ ex: the sun, uranium, nuclear weapons ]

list the 5 types of kinetic energy.

sound, thermal (heat), electrical, radiant (light), kinetic

what is kinetic energy (the sub-category)? provide examples.

objects moving from one place to another.
[ ex: a running person, a speeding car, an arrow flying ]

what is sound energy? provide examples.

vibrations moving through matter.
[ ex: music playing, thunder ]

what is radiant (light) energy? provide examples.

electromagnetic waves.
[ ex: sunlight, x-rays ]

what is thermal (heat) energy? provide examples.

internal movement of atoms/molecules.
[ ex: boiling water, fire ]

what is electrical energy? provide examples.

movement of electrons.
[ ex: lightning, electricity in wires ]

what is the law of conservation of energy?

energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. there is a fixed amount of energy in the universe. the total energy within the systems remains constant, even though it may change forms.

what is energy transfer?

the movement of energy from one object/location to another.

what is energy transformation?

the change in energy from one form to another.

what does an energy flow diagram show?

it shows how energy is converted from one form to another with arrows.

what is efficiency?

how well a system converts energy from one form to another. efficiency is always less than 100%.

what is a by-product?

wasted, non-useful energy produced in addition to the main intended energy transfer. the form of energy usually wasted is heat.

what is a rube goldberg machine?

a rube goldberg machine is a contraption that accomplishes a simple task in a complicated way.  it transfers energy with several simple machines connected together to make a complex machine.

what does a simple machine do?

a simple machine makes work easier for people.

what is a circuit?

a circuit is a complete path that electricity flows through. circuits contain a current source, conductors (wires) and a load (energy user). moving electrons transfer energy from the energy source to the energy user.

what does the energy source do?

the energy source provides the electrons with the energy they need to flow around the circuit. the electrons are already in the wire. the energy source pushes them around the circuit. the electrons transfer energy from the energy source to the energy user.

what are the rules of drawing a circuit diagram?

• wires in a circuit are drawn as straight lines (ruler).

• wires should not cross over each other.

• use the correct symbols for each component in the circuit.

• when drawn, the circuit forms a closed loop.

draw the circuit components (closed switch, open switch, globe, battery, wire)

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where does heat loss occur in a house?

• walls – approx 35%

• windows and doors – approx 25%

• roof and ceiling –  approx 25%

• floors – approx 15%

• gaps in house – approx 15%

what is insulation?

heat naturally flows from warmer areas to colder areas until the temperatures are equal (thermal diffusion). insulation in a house is a layer of material installed, creating a protective thermal layer, and is used to stop heat inside the home from escaping in winter, and to stop heat outside the home from entering in summer.

insulation in the roof/walls:

• roof – reflective foil (reflects heat away),

• batts (traps heat)

• batts and foil

• spray Foam

what is double-glazing?

double-glazing is a highly efficient window design that uses two panes of glass separated by a sealed, airless, or gas-filled space. it creates a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer and noise, helping to keep homes warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and quieter year-round. this reduces energy bills.

house orientation

the path of the sun in australia is in the north.
living areas and rooms you spend lots of time in should be north-facing to catch sun and light for the longest part of the day.

bedrooms should be positioned on the southern side, so they are cooler and more pleasant to sleep in at night.

good orientation can significantly improve your comfort and reduce your heating and cooling needs.

other energy saving features…

• eaves (edges of a roof that project out and overhang beyond the external walls) over north-facing windows can keep unwanted sun out in summer and let in the sun's warmth in during winter (sun’s angle).

• make living areas more enclosed to keep heating and cooling costs down.

• grouping rooms with similar uses together – such as living rooms, bedrooms and wet areas – can allow for more efficient heating and cooling.

• paving directly under north-facing windows reflects heat into the house, so adding pergolas or verandas in these areas can provide extra summer shade.

• limit the number of windows on the east and west sides of your home (keeps out early morning sun + harsh afternoon light)

• too much glass can make your home very hot in summer and cold during winter.

• solid materials such as brick, concrete and stone used in the right areas can provide sufficient thermal mass to absorb and store heat during winter.

• blinds or curtains with pelmets that sit snugly in the window frame can stop heat loss from the windows.

• deciduous trees planted near north-facing windows allow radiated heat from the sun through in winter (no leaves) but block it out in summer. (leaves)

ethical considerations:

moral principles and guidelines that dictate how scientific research or proposed responses to societal issues should be conducted. they ensure that the pursuit of knowledge or technological intervention does not harm individuals, communities, or the environment, and is balanced with societal well-being.

environmental considerations:

assessing how a scientific proposal or action interacts with the natural world. they evaluate the impacts of human activities —such as climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and pollution—to determine long-term ecological sustainability.

social considerations:

evaluate how scientific responses, technologies, or policies impact human well-being, community structures, cultural norms, and everyday life. they explore who benefits, who is burdened, and how human interactions and society change as a result.

economic considerations:

the financial costs, market changes, resource allocations, and broad financial impacts associated with implementing or failing to implement a scientific solution. they evaluate the cost viability of scientific advancements by weighing expenses against benefits.

why is energy a contemporary (existing, present) issue?

it is essential for homes, schools, hospitals, transport, and technology, but many energy sources create problems like greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, habitat destruction, resource depletion, and rising energy prices

environmental pros of building an energy efficient house

reduces the consumption of non-renewable energy resources, thus conserving them for future generations.

lowers greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change and preserving natural ecosystems.

environmental cons of NOT building an energy efficient house

contributes to higher energy consumption

depletes natural resources faster, and increases carbon emissions, exacerbating environmental degradation and climate change.

the use of non-renewable, resource-intensive materials have a larger environmental footprint.

economic pros of building an energy efficient house

lower utility bills for heating, cooling, and electricity, providing long-term financial savings for homeowners.

promoting energy-efficient building practices can drive market demand, potentially lowering costs and making these technologies more accessible to a wider population.

economic cons of NOT building an energy efficient house

although the initial cost of constructing an energy-efficient house may be higher, the lack of long-term savings can result in higher overall costs due to increased energy bills.

if energy-efficient houses remain a niche market, they may be affordable only to wealthier individuals, increasing economic inequality and limiting access to the benefits of energy efficiency.

ethical pros of building an energy efficient house

aligns with ethical principles of stewardship, responsibility, and care for the environment.

reflects a commitment to reducing one's ecological footprint and contributing to global sustainability efforts.

demonstrates a forward-thinking approach that benefits future generations.

ethical cons of NOT building an energy efficient house

may be seen as neglecting one's responsibility to reduce personal and collective environmental impacts.

failing to adopt energy-efficient practices may leave future generations with greater environmental challenges and fewer resources.

social pros of building an energy efficient house

often have better indoor air quality and temperature control, contributing to improved health and comfort for residents.

can serve as models for communities, encouraging wider adoption of sustainable practices and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

social cons of NOT building an energy efficient house

poorly insulated homes can result in inadequate heating or cooling, leading to health issues such as respiratory problems or heat-related illnesses.

communities that do not prioritize energy efficiency may face greater challenges related to energy scarcity and environmental health, impacting overall quality of life.

installing solar panels pros/cons

environmental — reduces carbon emissions

social — improved health (reduced air pollution – fewer respiratory issues

economic — initially more expensive but eventually a reduction in energy bills.

ethical —  ethical manufacturing, ensuring solar supply chains are free from exploitative labour and prioritize worker safety.

installing rainwater tanks pros/cons

environmental — lower the energy-intensive burden on municipal grids to treat and pump drinking water.

social — drinking, water requires maintenance because bird/animal droppings can contaminate the supply. It is also unfluoridated (teeth)

economic —  rainwater is free of chlorine and salts, reducing scale buildup inside pipes and washing machines extending their life

ethical — decreased demand on municipal infrastructure reduces the future need to expand costly treatment dams.

using coal for energy pros/cons

environmental — burning coal releases large amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, accelerating global warming.

social — particulate matter/toxic emissions from coal plants can lead to increased rates of asthma, heart disease, and chronic bronchitis.

economic — coal is cheap and an abundant fossil fuel, leading to cheaper electricity bills.

ethical — coal mining remains one of the most dangerous professions in the world, raising moral questions about the human cost of powering homes

because, but, so sentences

because = provide reason/s (pros)
but = provide contrast/s (cons)
so = provide result/s (why?)