Unit Goal 

Participants will be able to identify and measure various forms of energy.

Unit Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Define energy.
• Identify the two main forms of energy and provide examples of each.
• Demonstrate how energy is measured, quantified, and converted from one unit of energy to another.
• Explain the difference between work and power and convert from one unit of power to another.

A. Introduction

What is always present but never visible? ENERGY! To understand what energy is you must first understand what it does. Visit the Introduction to find out more. 

B. Two Main Forms of Energy

Energy exists in two main forms: kinetic energy, the energy of motion, and potential energy, energy in matter due to its position or arrangement of parts.

C. Measuring and Quantifying Energy

1. Conversion and Resource Tables
2. Activity: People Power

Like many things in our life, energy can be measured and quantified. There are different units that can be used to measure energy and these units can be converted from one to another. Some units that you have heard of include calories and kilowatt hours. There are other measurements more commonly used in science, such as British thermal units or joules. 

Power is the rate at which energy is used or work is done. Some units of measure for power include horsepower, watts, kilowatts, or megawatts.

D. Activities and Experiments

Several fun experiments to try at home or school to get a better understanding of energy concepts.

E. Web sites

To further investigate energy concepts and energy-related science projects.