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Calculate your environmental footprint and learn how you can reduce your impact with WWF's Footprint Calculator.

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Environment for Kids: Wave and Tidal Energy

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Kids learn about wave and tidal energy and how this renewable power can help the environment. Teach students about this new technology.

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Young People's Trust For the Environment

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Types of Energy

Energy is invisible yet it's all around us and throughout the universe. We use it every day, we have it in our bodies and some of it comes from other planets! Energy can never be made or destroyed, but its form can be converted and changed. For example, the chemical energy we get from our food turns into kinetic and thermal energy (see below) when we walk and sound energy when we shout. Here's a great video by scientists showing the many ways that energy can be transferred and converted.

The following chapters describe the various forms energy can take and the story behind humans, energy, fuel and the environment.

Types of energy

First let's take a look at the different forms energy can take and how they can be converted.

Kinetic - Anything that moves has this kind of energy. To run, cycle, climb and move the mouse for a computer we use kinetic energy.

Radiant - Radiant energy means light. Examples of things that have radiant energy are the Sun, lightbulbs and our computer screens. Plants convert light energy into chemical energy (food) which helps them to grown, this is known as photosynthesis.

Sound - The louder we shout the more sound energy we are using. Apart from our voices there are plenty of other examples of sound energies - guitars have sound energy when plucked using kinetic energy. So do the brakes on our bikes when we're traveling fast.

Thermal - If you've ever worn thermal underwear you might guess that thermal energy is about heat! The sun gives off thermal energy, as do radiators and fires. Even lightbulbs when they've been on for a long time - ouch!

Elastic - Stretch a rubber band, or pull back the elastic on a slingshot and you'll have elastic energy. This kind of energy is known as 'potential energy' as it can be stored until it's released - usually giving way to kinetic energy!

Gravitational - Ever fallen out of a tree? Then you were a victim of gravitational energy. Gravitational energy is the force which keeps us on the ground. Gravitational energy is why cycling downhill is faster than cycling up hill and why ski jumpers always come back to earth.

Chemical - Chemical energies come in many different forms. We get chemical energy from foods, which we use to run about, and move and talk (kinetic and sound energy). Chemical energies are stored in fuels which we burn to release thermal energy - this is one way of making electricity, see Electricity for more information.

Nuclear - Nuclear energy is the energy stored inside tiny atoms. Atoms are invisible and make up the elements of the whole universe! There are three parts to these tiny particles which are - protons, electrons and neutrons. Nuclear energy is released when atoms are joined together (fusion) or split apart (fission). Doing this converts energy into thermal and radiant energy. The Sun uses nuclear energy to produce its light and heat.

Converting Energy
When we go for a run we are using chemical energy in our bodies to produce movement (kinetic energy), which in turn converts to warmth (thermal energy). Cycling downhill involves kinetic and gravitational energy. The friction between the tyres and the road will also cause the tyres to warm up a little producing thermal energy. What form will some of this energy take when putting on the brakes?

Read More: Fuel For Humans

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Energy is invisible yet it's all around us and throughout the universe. We use it every day, we have it in our bodies and some of it comes from other planets! Energy can never be made or destroyed, but its form can be converted and changed.

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"Energy efficiency" is the term used to refer to the good use of electricity. Appliances, computers and even cars use electricity. The demand for electricity and the difficulty in creating electricity make it imperative that everyone use it wisely. There are many ways to save energy that are both easy, such as turning off the light when you leave a room, and fun, like playing outside rather than indoors in the summertime.

With so many people using energy all day, every day, the government and even individuals are looking for new energy sources. Because of the sun's power and the fact that many southern states, like Florida, are sunny much of the year, the sun is being looked to as a major source of energy. Capturing power from the sun is called "solar power". Solar power is gathered by dishes or panels that face the sun and collect the heat from the sun's rays. The collected heat is then changed from energy to electricity, which can be used to heat or cool houses and even run electric cars. Solar power plants are located all over the world; the biggest plant in the United States is located in California. With solar power being a new and emerging technology, there is still much to learn. For more information on solar power, look to the fun and interesting resources below.
Solar Power Information

Solar Basics: This site, provided for by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, talks about how solar power is collected and turned into energy.

Solar Energy: This website talks about why solar energy is important and how it is collected and used.

Solar Energy: Younger Kids: Solar Energy International provides basic information in an easy to understand format for younger kids.

Solar Energy: Older Kids: Solar Energy International discusses more advanced topics in solar energy such as photovoltaics, thermal energy and more.

Solar Energy for Kids: See what the White House has to say about solar energy! This page answers some of the most often asked questions by kids about solar power.

Exploring Nature, Solar Energy: This page talks about why solar power may assist our energy needs.

What is Solar Energy?: This page explains what solar energy is and how it can be used to heat water and provide electricity for other appliances.

Solar Videos: This site contains videos provided by the U.S. Department of Energy about the collection of solar heat and the process of turning solar heat into energy.

Solar Energy Basics: This site explains how solar power is concentrated and used to heat water.

Energy and the Environment: This website talks about the basics of solar power, including how solar energy is used to make electricity.

What is Renewable Energy: This page explains what renewable energy is; solar power is renewable energy.

Solar Power in the Home

Kids Saving Energy: The US Department of Energy provides a fun page for kids about using energy wisely in the home, games and renewable energy information

Energy Star Kids: A great website for kids about saving energy in the home.

Are There Vampires in Your House?: Energy vampires, that is! Find out which appliances and other things in your home use up the most electricity.

Solar Power at Home: You can use this website to find out how to produce solar power in your home.

Roofus' Home: A fun and interactive game for kids about solar energy efficiency in the home.

How You Can Save Energy: This site tells you what you can do at home to save electricity.

Using and Saving Energy: Energy Kids provides a page with information on energy use, energy and the environment, energy in homes and commercial buildings, and much more.

Kids for Saving the Earth: This website talks about where to look to see how much energy your house uses.

Changes at Home: This page describes nine main changes people can make to help their homes be more energy efficient.

Saving Energy: A fun quest for kids about how they can save energy throughout their home.

Solar Activities

Energy Quest: On this page the State of California has created games about solar power. Have fun!

Test Your Energy IQ: Here, you can take two quizzes to see how much you know about the United States' energy use.

Energy Activity Book: Print out this book to test your solar knowledge through fun games.

Science Experiment: Test out the sun's heat! Perform this experiment to see whether the sun or shade is hotter.

Solar Distiller Experiment: Use this test to see how the sun can help make clean water.

Energy Calculators: These calculators will help you identify how much gas, coal, electric and even food energy you use each day.

Build Your Own Solar Oven!: This website tells you how to build your own solar oven so you can see the sun's power for yourself!

Solar S'mores: Who says solar power can't be delicious? Make your own delicious, sun cooked treats!

Solar Photos: This page has pictures of where solar panels are used around the neighborhood. Solar powered stop light, anyone?

Switch It Off!: This interactive game shows just how much energy an individual person can save by turning off lights and appliances they're not using.

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Yagiz - there is some great and easy to read information here! Links to more information that will also help you.

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Yagiz - there is some great and easy to read information here! Links to more information that will also help you.

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