Information on Energy for kids

Energy means 'the ability to do work'.  In order for us to do our daily tasks like go to school and study and run and jump, we need energy.  This energy we get from the food we eat.

The plants uses the energy from the sun to make food through photosynthesis and the animals or us eat the plants and the energy is moved to our bodies. 

Energy can be moved from one place to another and  it can change form.

Most types of energy are either movement energy (kinetic energy) like a car that moves or potensial energy which mean it can be used for something.

Common examples include heat energy, elastic potential energy, chemical energy, sound energy, nuclear energy, geothermal energy and gravitational potential energy. 

Energy can change into different types of energy, like for instance the electrical energy that goes into the hairdryer can change into heat and sound energy.

It is important to remember that energy can change form, but it cannot be created or destroyed.

We get our energy from the stored energy in food and this energy is measured in kilojoules.  If we take in more energy than what we use, we will gain weight.  If you want to loose weight, you have to burn more kilojoules.

Where the energy comes from is called the 'source' and the sun and the wind can be a source of energy which we can use.  Wind energy can be used to generate electricity and the sun is used by plants to make food and also by us for heat, light and generating solar power.

In the Mojave Desert you will find the world's largest solar power plant.

Water can also be a source of energy that can be used to generate electricity and this is called hydro electricity.

Watch the video and answer the questions

1. What is energy?
2. What is the source of energy for a car?
3. Give an example of energy that can be stored.
4. Name a few types of energy and and example of each.
5. What is 'solar energy'?