Energy Aboard Ship

What is Energy?

This module will emphasize the transformation of energy into useful forms.

Find out more about energy.

Matter and Energy

Matter takes up space.

Matter can also be changed into

energy.

Hear Einstein explain matter and energy in his own words.

Matter and Energy

Energy is the ability to do work.

Read an online book about energy.

Force x Distance = Work

Kinetic vs. Potential

Potential energy is stored energy.

Kinetic energy involves motion.

Learn about the different forms and sources of energy.

Potential Energy

Consider a roller coaster.

At the top, it has potential energy. The energy is stored just as the energy in the rubber band. It is energy waiting to be used for motion.

Check out the animated roller coaster.

Kinetic Energy

As the roller coaster moves toward the bottom, kinetic energy increases along with the roller coaster’s speed.

Try building your own roller coaster.

The Transformation of

EnergyEnergy is conserved.

Conservation of energy means it can change forms between kinetic and potential, but it never disappears.The total amount of energy is always the same.

Energy Aboard Ship

How many different kinds of energy can you find on a ship?

Steam Engines Transform Energy

Potential energy is stored in fuel.

Chemical change produces heat energy.

Heat changes water to steam.

Steam provides mechanical energy.

Learn more about how a steam engine works.

Mechanical energy moves the ship.

A moving ship has kinetic energy.

Steam Engines Transform Energy

See an animated steam engine.

The Steam Engine

Steam turns large turbines.Turbines turn a series of gears.The gears reduce the turning speed of the shaft.

Visit a virtual engine room.

Potential to Kinetic

Potential Energy(fuel)

Heat Energy(steam)

Mechanical Energy

(engine parts)Kinetic Energy

(ship moves)

Speed in Knots

A knot refers to the number of nautical miles covered in one hour. Many years ago, sailors would throw a log with a knotted rope attached over the side of the ship.

To calculate speed in knots, a sailor would simply count the number of knots that passed by as the line to the log was let out.

Speedy Transformations

Starting and stopping a plane on the short deck of a ship means a fast conversion between kinetic energy and potential energy!This is accomplished with a catapult.Build a catapult to launch a

balso wood glider plane.

Fuel for People

The people on a ship also need energy. Food provides fuel for people.

A galley is a ship’s kitchen.

Transferring Heat Energy

Heat energy raises the temperature of matter. It makes it hotter. The atoms move faster.

Heat moves from warmer matter to

cooler matter.

Heat TransferConduction

Conduction is a way of transferring heat through the contact of objects.

Try an interactive lesson on heat transfer.

Heat TransferConvection

Convection is heat transfer through a fluid with the hotter molecules rising and the cooler ones sinking.

Try an interactive lesson on heat transfer.

Heat TransferRadiation

Radiation is heat transfer through space. The earth is heated by radiation from the sun.

Try an interactive lesson on heat transfer.

Energy from Food

Food is fuel that gives us energy.

Energy in Food

A calorie is a measure of the amount of energy. In food, energy is measured in thousands of calories or kilocalories.

Learn more about Measuring Calories.

Transferring Energy in Food

Food is digested and stored in our bodies as potential energy.

This potential energy can be transformed into kinetic energy as our bodies move and exercise.

When you exercise, you get hot? What do you think is happening?

The Sun is a Source of Energy

The sun’s energy becomes chemical energy and is stored in plants as

potential energy.

Energy in Food

Find out how many calories are stored in a peanut with this simple science experiment.

Go to the peanut experiment.

Burning Calories

How many calories do you use when you are doing various activities?

Try the spreadsheet activity.

Use the following spreadsheet activity

to find out.

Questions

Learning through inquiry. The last portion of this module contains questions about energy.

Electric Generators

The electric generators are similar to the steam engines because they both transform energy into a useful form.

Steam to Run a Ship

Nuclear Energy

Be a virtual tourist and explore nuclear energy and power.

Explore nuclear energy.

History of Electricity

Benjamin Franklin – Kite Experiment

Read more about Franklin’s experiments.

History of Electricity

Benjamin Franklin – Kite Experiment

Thomas Edison – Light Bulb

Read more and see pictures of Edison’s bulbs.

History of Electricity

Benjamin Franklin – Kite Experiment

Thomas Edison – Light BulbGeorge Westinghouse Nikola Tesla

Alternating Current

Click on this slide to learn more.

Speed of Electricity

The electrons themselves move very slowly.The electricity moves nearly as fast as light.

Electrons moving in a wire are different from the electricity flowing through a wire.

Read answers to “How fast..?

Ship’s Engines

Take a virtual tour of an engine room.

Fuel

Bunker Oil

Aviation Gasoline

Electrical Energy Transfer

When is water and electricity dangerous?

Pure water does not conduct electricity.

Our bodies are mostly water. Impurities like salt make water more

conductive. Our bodies contain salt.

Do we conduct electricity?

Water and Electricity

Perform a simple experiment to see water conduct electricity.

Download instructions for experiment.

Energy Use

How much is a kilowatt?How much energy does your family use?

View an activity to learn more about energy use and conservation.

Energy Use

Research electrical plants in your area.

Find out more about your community.

Where do you get your electricity? What kinds of energy sources are used? How much energy does your community use?

Energy Matters

Just as there are many kinds ofenergy and energy uses on a ship,you use many kinds of energy everyday.

List different kinds of energy you see around you. Will we ever run out of energy?What can you do to conserve energy?