How Things Work

Name:

Date:

Part 1: Energy in Systems

WALT: We Are Learning To identify energy transfers and explain how everyday systems work.

Success criteria: I can identify useful and wasted energy, name energy forms, and describe an energy transfer.

Dyslexia-friendly option: Read each question aloud, use text-to-speech, or ask someone to read it with you.

1. Which energy transfer occurs in a torch?

Chemical energy to electrical energy to light energy

Sound energy to chemical energy

Light energy to gravitational energy

2. Which form of energy is usually a wasted output from a motor?

Movement energy

Sound and thermal energy

Chemical energy

3. Tick all the energy forms that may be produced by a moving bicycle.

Kinetic energy

Sound energy

Thermal energy

Nuclear energy

4. A solar panel is part of a system. What is its main useful energy transfer?

Light energy to electrical energy

Electrical energy to chemical energy

Sound energy to light energy

Part 2: Explain How Things Work

WALT: We Are Learning To use scientific ideas to explain the function and efficiency of systems.

Success criteria: I can describe an input, useful output, and wasted output using scientific vocabulary.

5. Complete the energy pathway for an electric kettle:

Electrical energy → __________________ energy → __________________ energy in the water.

6. Explain why a kettle is not 100% efficient.

7. A bicycle uses gears to make riding easier. Explain how changing gears can affect force and speed.

Differentiation support: Use these words in your answers: input, output, transfer, useful, wasted, force, speed. You may draw arrows to show the energy pathway before writing.

Part 3: Apply and Design

WALT: We Are Learning To apply scientific understanding when designing or improving a device.

Success criteria: I can label a system, show energy transfers, and suggest a way to reduce wasted energy.

8. Choose one device: a toaster, fan, bicycle, or mobile phone. Draw a simple labelled diagram showing its energy input, useful output, and one wasted output.

9. Suggest one change that could make your chosen device more efficient. Explain why it would help.

10. Extension: Design a device that uses renewable energy to solve a problem at home or in your community. Name the energy input, useful output, and possible wasted energy.

Extension challenge: Calculate efficiency using: useful energy output ÷ total energy input × 100. Explain why no real device reaches 100% efficiency.