Energy Aboard Ship

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. Force x Distance = Work

Read an online book about energy.

Kinetic vs. Potential Potential energy is stored energy. images

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 Energy Energy 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.

Steam Engines Transform Energy Mechanical energy moves the ship. A moving ship has kinetic 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 Transfer Conduction Conduction is a way of transferring heat through the contact of objects.

Try an interactive lesson on heat transfer.

Heat Transfer Convection 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 Transfer Radiation 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? Use the following spreadsheet activity to find out.

Try the spreadsheet activity.

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 Bulb George Westinghouse Alternating Nikola Tesla Current

Click on this slide to learn more.

Speed of Electricity Electrons moving in a wire are different from the electricity flowing through a wire. The electrons themselves move very slowly. The electricity moves nearly as fast as light. 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 of energy and energy uses on a ship, you use many kinds of energy every day. List different kinds of energy you see around you. Will we ever run out of energy? What can you do to conserve energy?