Forms of Energy Teaching Resources
Explore forms of energy in your science classes with experiments, activities and more resources for primary teachers!
From lesson plans on electricity to worksheets about thermal energy, this collection is packed with Australian science curriculum-aligned printables and digital resources created by teachers for teachers like you. You'll save time on your lesson plans with easily editable resources, plus you'll be able to meet your students' needs with differentiated options.
Best of all? Every single resource has been carefully reviewed by the science teachers on the Teach Starter team to ensure it's ready for your classroom and your students!
Is this your first year covering the different forms of energy in your classroom? Or maybe you are just looking for fresh ideas? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a look at the two main types that these forms can fall into.
What Are the 2 Types of Energy?
Energy can take a variety of forms — from the mechanical energy involved in stretching a rubberband to the motion energy in a gust of wind — but every form of energy can be classified into just two main types. Before we dive into the long list of forms of energy that exist in the universe, it might help to take a look at these types:
- Potential Energy
- Kinetic Energy
Read on to learn how we explain these types to our students!
What Is Potential Energy? A Kid-Friendly Definition and Example
Potential energy is the energy that an object has because of its position or condition.
Let's say you take out a rubberband and stretch it way, way, way out with your hands. Because it is stretched out, the rubberband is full of potential energy that will help it fly farther when it is finally released!
What Is Kinetic Energy?
Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. This type of energy depends on the object's mass and speed.
Let's look at that rubberband example again! It may have potential energy when it is held in a stretched-out position, but once it is released, the rubberband now has kinetic energy as it flies through the air!
What Are Forms of Energy? Examples for Kids
Now that we've covered the two types of energy, let's look at the different forms of energy that fall under each type. We've developed these explanations to help you as you work with students to gain a deeper understanding of how energy affects people and the environment around us!
4 Forms of Potential Energy
- Elastic Energy —This is the energy that can be found when an object is stretched or compressed. Elastic energy can be found in a coiled spring or a stretched rubber band.
- Nuclear Energy — Nuclear energy is a form of energy that originates from the nucleus, or the core, of an atom. This kind of energy is commonly used to generate electricity, but it requires the process of releasing it from the atom.
- Gravitational Energy — Gravitational energy is the energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field. For example, if you hold a book high in the air, its height creates the potential for the book to fall. This is its gravitational energy and its potential energy!
- Chemical Energy — This type of energy is stored in atoms and molecules.
5 Forms of Kinetic Energy
- Mechanical Energy — Mechanical energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or position.
- Electrical Energy — This is the energy produced by the flow of electric charges or electrons. The electricity that we use to power our computers and our lights is a form of electrical energy!
- Light Energy — Light energy is the energy that we see as visible light. We can get this energy from natural sources like the sun or human-made sources like the lightbulb.
- Thermal Energy — Also called heat energy, thermal energy is a form that most students have experienced in their lives. It's energy that comes from the heat of an object or system, such as the energy of the sun.
- Sound Energy — This form is the energy produced by vibrations that create sound waves. It's the type of energy involved when we speak or sing, and it's also the energy involved in all the noises produced around us.
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How Electricity Gets to Our Homes Poster
Display this year 6 science poster in your classroom that shows how electricity reaches and powers homes.
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Forms of Energy Poster Pack
Display information about mechanical, electrical, light, thermal and sound energy with this poster pack.
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Heat Transference Worksheet
A worksheet to help students identify examples of heat transference.
- Free Plan
Introduction to Electricity Worksheet
A worksheet that explores the concept of electricity.
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Conductors of Electricity Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Challenge your students to show what they know about electrical conductors with this reading comprehension worksheet.
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Sound Word Wall Vocabulary
Build academic vocabulary with a set of 28 sound vocabulary cards.
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Sound Energy Interactive Activity
Reinforce your students' understanding of sound energy concepts with this set of 10 interactive activities.
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Heat Conductors and Insulators Sorting Worksheet
Explore materials and everyday items as heat conductors or heat insulators during your heat energy unit plan with this cut-and paste worksheet.
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Electrical Insulators Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Discover the shockingly interesting world of electrical insulators with our downloadable reading comprehension worksheet.
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Energy and Electricity Vocabulary Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary in your classroom with this set of word wall cards that focus on forms of energy and electricity.
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Forms of Energy – Year 4 Science Experiments for Kids
Investigate mechanical, electrical, light, thermal and sound energy with this set of science activities for kids.
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Refracting Light Task Cards
A set of 5 Task Cards with activities that allow students to observe the refraction of light.
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Conductors and Insulators Poster
A poster highlighting conductors and insulators of heat energy.
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Let the Sun Shine In! - Worksheet
A worksheet to use when exploring the sun as a light source.
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Electricity: From Plant to Place - Worksheet
A worksheet that explores how electricity is generated and distributed.
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The Heat is On Worksheet
A worksheet to consolidate your students' understanding of heat energy.
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Types of Circuits Interactive Task Cards
Test your students’ knowledge of different types of circuits with this set of 24 interactive task cards.
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Sound Energy (First Nations Instruments) Investigation
Use this sound energy investigation to help your students record their learnings about First Nations traditional instruments and how they produce sound.
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Heat Energy Sources Interactive Activity
Help students identify different sources of heat energy with this engaging, interactive activity.
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Wheel of Heat Transfer Project
Explore the process of heat transfer with this engaging wheel of heat project.
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Sound Research Science Experiment for Kids
Immerse your students in an auditory adventure, exploring sound energy with this engaging experiment.
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Insulators and Conductors Worksheet
Identify different insulators and conductors of electrical energy with this worksheet.
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Light and Shadow - Design an Experiment Worksheet
A worksheet that explores light and shadow and the principles of a fair test.
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Science Experiment - Line Up the Light!
A science experiment which explores how light travels.
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Sound Energy (First Nations Instruments) Comprehension Task
Use this read-and-respond task to help your Grade Two students learn about some traditional First Nations Australians musical instruments and their characteristic sounds.
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Sound Energy Sources Cut and Paste Worksheet
Teach your students all about sound energy sources using this cut-and-paste sorting worksheet.
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5 Fascinating Facts About Sound Worksheet
Use this sound energy worksheet and poster set to teach your student some interesting facts about sound.
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Sound Energy Task Cards
Reinforce student understanding of sound energy facts and vocabulary with this set of 24 task cards.
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Sound Energy Project (Buzzing Balloons)
Engage your class with this sound energy exploration! This simple experiment will show students how sound is produced by a source and can be sensed.
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Simple Circuit Diagram
Spark curiosity and illuminate young minds with the wonders of electricity. Download this simple circuit diagram to light up your classroom!
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Energy and Electricity Crossword Puzzle
Reinforce science vocabulary with a free energy and electricity crossword puzzle.
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Famous Inventors Fact File — Alessandro Volta Comprehension Worksheet
Print an Alessandro Volta fact file worksheet to introduce students to this famous inventor and expand their understanding of electricity!