Energy Transfer and Transformation
Year 5 students explore how energy changes form — from one type to another — in everyday situations, including electrical, thermal, light, sound, and kinetic energy.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Energy cannot be created or destroyed — it can only be transferred or transformed into a different type
A light globe transforms electrical energy into light energy and heat energy
In a food chain, chemical energy stored in food is transformed into kinetic (movement) energy by animals
Heat energy transfers from hot objects to cooler ones until temperatures are equal (thermal equilibrium)
Key Vocabulary
Energy transfer
The movement of energy from one object to another without changing its form
Energy transformation
A change from one form of energy to another, e.g. electrical to light
Kinetic energy
The energy of motion — any moving object has kinetic energy
Thermal energy
The total heat energy of an object, related to the movement of its particles
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
A solar panel converts sunlight into electricity. What energy transformation is this?
Question 2
When you rub your hands together quickly, they get warm. Which energy transformation occurs?
Question 3
Which statement BEST describes energy conservation?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Energy cannot be created or destroyed — it can only be transferred or transformed into a different type
- ●A light globe transforms electrical energy into light energy and heat energy
- ●In a food chain, chemical energy stored in food is transformed into kinetic (movement) energy by animals
- ●Heat energy transfers from hot objects to cooler ones until temperatures are equal (thermal equilibrium)