Electrical & Thermal Energy

• Electrical current is the steady flow of energy particles with an electrical charge, enabling appliances to function when it flows through them.
• Electrical energy transforms into other forms of energy, such as light, sound, movement, or heat, when an appliance is turned on.
• Energy can transfer and transform; light energy travels through space, evident in plant growth and warmth from the sun.
• Lightning is a natural electrical jolt between clouds and the ground, producing visible light.
• Some electrical energy in lightning converts to heat, capable of burning the ground.
• Lightning bolts create thunder by rapidly displacing air, which then collapses back together.

Thermal Energy

• Thermal energy, also known as heat energy, can be felt as heat.
• Examples of using thermal energy include baking a cake in an oven and roasting marshmallows over a fire.
• Rubbing hands together quickly or burning something can release thermal energy.

Light Energy

• Light energy travels through empty space, air, and transparent objects like windows.
• Special tools are needed to detect certain forms of light energy.

Sound Energy

• Sound energy travels through matter via vibrations.
• Unlike light, sound energy cannot travel through empty space.
• Sound energy can be perceived, such as sounds from a television.

Electrical Energy

• Many household appliances require electrical energy to operate.
• In electrically powered devices, electricity moves along a path called a circuit.
• Electrical energy often converts to other energy forms, like in a toaster where electrical energy heats wires to cook food.

Electrical Circuits

• Electrical cords have plugs with at least two metal prongs.
• One prong brings energy into the device, while the other carries energy out.
• Metal is used for the wire for efficient electrical current flow, and it's wrapped in plastic or rubber for insulation.
• Electricity requires a complete, unbroken circle called an electrical circuit to be useful.
• A circuit includes an electrical power source, a device using the power, and at least two connecting wires.
• Most circuits have a switch to control whether the circuit is open (off) or closed (on).
• Broken wires or poor connections can cause an open circuit.
• A city power grid constitutes a large electrical circuit, typically powered by an electrical power plant.
• Electrical energy cannot flow in an open circuit.
• Disruptions can cause the city power grid to become an open circuit, affecting the city and its residents.

Energy Transformation

• Devices and appliances utilize electrical energy, transforming it into other energy types to function.
• Devices can release multiple forms of energy, including light, sound, heat, or motion.

Explore electrical current as a flow of charged particles powering appliances. Electrical energy converts to light, sound, motion, and heat. Thermal energy, or heat, is exemplified by baking and friction, while light energy's travel is key to plant growth.