August 22, 2016
Electromagnetic Energy:
In this final article of the InMotion spotlight, we'll be learning about electromagnetic energy. I'm going to do an overview of this because you can find more on electromagnetic waves and such in the Waves and Rays section. Anyways, what is electromagnetic energy? Basically, electromagnetic energy comes from an electric or magnetic wave that is traveling through the air or space. We use microwaves to heat up our food, for example. Therefore, we are using electrical energy to create electromagnetic energy to heat our food. Electromagnetic energy is all around us. X-rays, radio, TV, infrared cameras, and more all use electromagentic energy. Without it, we wouldn't have a lot of the things we have today.
Electromagnetic Energy:
In this final article of the InMotion spotlight, we'll be learning about electromagnetic energy. I'm going to do an overview of this because you can find more on electromagnetic waves and such in the Waves and Rays section. Anyways, what is electromagnetic energy? Basically, electromagnetic energy comes from an electric or magnetic wave that is traveling through the air or space. We use microwaves to heat up our food, for example. Therefore, we are using electrical energy to create electromagnetic energy to heat our food. Electromagnetic energy is all around us. X-rays, radio, TV, infrared cameras, and more all use electromagentic energy. Without it, we wouldn't have a lot of the things we have today.
August 13, 2016
Sound Energy:
Sound energy is in more places around us than even electrical energy. You hear sounds all the time, and no sound at all is a very, very, very, very, (Okay, you get the point) rare thing to happen. Sound energy is caused by the moving and shaking, or vibration, of atoms. Atoms are always moving, even if they're just vibrating. If you drop something and it makes a sound, then you're hearing the effect of those atoms vibrating. The sound is causing little vibrations that our brain interprets as having a specific sound. We use sound energy to make music to listen to, which is a great example of sound energy. Different instruments make different vibrations and therefore they make different sounds. Basically, sound energy is all around us.
Sound Energy:
Sound energy is in more places around us than even electrical energy. You hear sounds all the time, and no sound at all is a very, very, very, very, (Okay, you get the point) rare thing to happen. Sound energy is caused by the moving and shaking, or vibration, of atoms. Atoms are always moving, even if they're just vibrating. If you drop something and it makes a sound, then you're hearing the effect of those atoms vibrating. The sound is causing little vibrations that our brain interprets as having a specific sound. We use sound energy to make music to listen to, which is a great example of sound energy. Different instruments make different vibrations and therefore they make different sounds. Basically, sound energy is all around us.
July 23, 2016
Electrical Energy:
Electrical energy is all around us. You could probably point out a few examples in your room right now. Computers, TVs, cars, phones, and so many other things run on electricity. Electrical energy is caused by electric charges, and to understand electrical charges and electrical energy we're going to have to take a look at atoms. Atoms, the basic building blocks that everything is made of, have three main parts (there are many other types of atomic particles, but we'll save those for a later article): neutrons, protons, and electrons. Our focus is on electrons. Electrons are smaller particles than the neutrons and protons. Electrons orbit, or circle around, the main body of the atom. Each electron has a different electrical charge, which is either a positive or negative electrical charge. This is the basis of electricity and electrical energy. By using these electrical charges, we can use their energy to power things such as lamps, phones, and so much more.
Electrical Energy:
Electrical energy is all around us. You could probably point out a few examples in your room right now. Computers, TVs, cars, phones, and so many other things run on electricity. Electrical energy is caused by electric charges, and to understand electrical charges and electrical energy we're going to have to take a look at atoms. Atoms, the basic building blocks that everything is made of, have three main parts (there are many other types of atomic particles, but we'll save those for a later article): neutrons, protons, and electrons. Our focus is on electrons. Electrons are smaller particles than the neutrons and protons. Electrons orbit, or circle around, the main body of the atom. Each electron has a different electrical charge, which is either a positive or negative electrical charge. This is the basis of electricity and electrical energy. By using these electrical charges, we can use their energy to power things such as lamps, phones, and so much more.
June 24, 2016
Thermal Energy:
Now, in InMotion, we're moving on to a focus on energy. This week, we'll be looking at thermal energy, which is all around us. You can see examples of thermal energy everywhere. Your fireplace has fire and fire produces thermal energy. We feel thermal energy through heat. Heat can move from one thing to another, or transfer, in three ways. The first is conduction. Conduction is the spread of heat through solids. Convection is the spread of heat through the currents in water. Radiation is the spread of heat through electromagnetic waves (See Waves and Rays section for more info). Now, we measure that using a thermometer and we call the result of measuring it the temperature. There isn't actually any heat, it's just the average amount of movement in atoms. Atoms are always shaking and moving, and the faster they are the hotter something is. Next time, check back for an article on electrical energy.
Thermal Energy:
Now, in InMotion, we're moving on to a focus on energy. This week, we'll be looking at thermal energy, which is all around us. You can see examples of thermal energy everywhere. Your fireplace has fire and fire produces thermal energy. We feel thermal energy through heat. Heat can move from one thing to another, or transfer, in three ways. The first is conduction. Conduction is the spread of heat through solids. Convection is the spread of heat through the currents in water. Radiation is the spread of heat through electromagnetic waves (See Waves and Rays section for more info). Now, we measure that using a thermometer and we call the result of measuring it the temperature. There isn't actually any heat, it's just the average amount of movement in atoms. Atoms are always shaking and moving, and the faster they are the hotter something is. Next time, check back for an article on electrical energy.
June 19, 2016
Roller Coasters:
Roller coasters are an almost perfect example of energy at work. There are two types of things that start a roller coaster. The first is a chain lift hill. Here, an electrical motor powers a chain that pulls the roller coaster up the hill. The roller coaster car gains gravitational potential energy (GPE) as it climbs up the hill. The second type is a launch system. Here, the roller coaster is shot forwards. At this point, there is lots of kinetic energy (KE). When a roller coaster goes up a hill, it turns the KE into GPE. Then, when it reaches the top of this hill it reaches its Max GPE, because that's the highest point on the roller coaster. Then, the roller coaster car goes back down and when it reaches the bottom of the drop that's where you hit the Max KE because that's the steepest drop and the place where you're going the fastest (if you're on a chain lift roller coaster. If you're on a launch coaster, then the max GPE is at the start). There is also energy in the form of thermal energy from the friction against the tracks. There is also sound energy that you can hear from the rattling of the tracks. Now you know all about roller coasters and the science behind them!
Roller Coasters:
Roller coasters are an almost perfect example of energy at work. There are two types of things that start a roller coaster. The first is a chain lift hill. Here, an electrical motor powers a chain that pulls the roller coaster up the hill. The roller coaster car gains gravitational potential energy (GPE) as it climbs up the hill. The second type is a launch system. Here, the roller coaster is shot forwards. At this point, there is lots of kinetic energy (KE). When a roller coaster goes up a hill, it turns the KE into GPE. Then, when it reaches the top of this hill it reaches its Max GPE, because that's the highest point on the roller coaster. Then, the roller coaster car goes back down and when it reaches the bottom of the drop that's where you hit the Max KE because that's the steepest drop and the place where you're going the fastest (if you're on a chain lift roller coaster. If you're on a launch coaster, then the max GPE is at the start). There is also energy in the form of thermal energy from the friction against the tracks. There is also sound energy that you can hear from the rattling of the tracks. Now you know all about roller coasters and the science behind them!
June 19, 2016
Mechanical Energy - Part 2:
The next type of mechanical energy is kinetic energy (KE). So, when you start going down a hill, for example, then you start to gain more and more kinetic energy. When you go down the hill, your gravitational potential energy (GPE) is being turned into kinetic energy. As you go down the hill, your GPE is being turned into KE. You reach your max KE when you hit the bottom of the hill. Next time, we will go a little deeper into KE and GPE when we do a physics and energy of rollercoasters article.
Mechanical Energy - Part 2:
The next type of mechanical energy is kinetic energy (KE). So, when you start going down a hill, for example, then you start to gain more and more kinetic energy. When you go down the hill, your gravitational potential energy (GPE) is being turned into kinetic energy. As you go down the hill, your GPE is being turned into KE. You reach your max KE when you hit the bottom of the hill. Next time, we will go a little deeper into KE and GPE when we do a physics and energy of rollercoasters article.
June 19, 2016
Mechanical Energy - Part 1:
There are many different types of energy and the first one we will explore is mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is largely based around velocity, height, and weight. There are two types of mechanical energy. These two types are kinetic energy (KE) and gravitational potential energy (GPE). You get more GPE the higher you go. To find your GPE you take your weight and your height and multiply them. So, say there is a one hundred pound kid and he is standing on the top of a one hundred meters tall tower. We do 100 times 100 and we get 10,000. We measure energy in a unit called Joules. Therefore, that kid has 10,000 Joules of GPE. Next time we will explore the second part of mechanical energy that I mentioned called Kinetic Energy.
Mechanical Energy - Part 1:
There are many different types of energy and the first one we will explore is mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is largely based around velocity, height, and weight. There are two types of mechanical energy. These two types are kinetic energy (KE) and gravitational potential energy (GPE). You get more GPE the higher you go. To find your GPE you take your weight and your height and multiply them. So, say there is a one hundred pound kid and he is standing on the top of a one hundred meters tall tower. We do 100 times 100 and we get 10,000. We measure energy in a unit called Joules. Therefore, that kid has 10,000 Joules of GPE. Next time we will explore the second part of mechanical energy that I mentioned called Kinetic Energy.
June 19, 2016
Measuring Motion:
Motion is something we can measure and we can measure it by using velocity. Velocity is known to most people as speed. However, there is a difference between speed and velocity. Velocity incorporates speed and it also includes the direction of the motion. So, say your speed is 50 meters per second (m/s) and you're in Massachusetts and heading towards California. That means your velocity is 50 m/s West. This article article wraps up our focus on motion and we'll be moving our focus to energy.
Measuring Motion:
Motion is something we can measure and we can measure it by using velocity. Velocity is known to most people as speed. However, there is a difference between speed and velocity. Velocity incorporates speed and it also includes the direction of the motion. So, say your speed is 50 meters per second (m/s) and you're in Massachusetts and heading towards California. That means your velocity is 50 m/s West. This article article wraps up our focus on motion and we'll be moving our focus to energy.
May 20, 2016
Reference Points:
Have you ever been in a car and looked outside and passed someone standing by the side of the road? They looked like they were moving, right? And you looked like you were staying still, correct? This is because of reference points. You're sitting inside the car and your reference point is the car. Because of this, anyone inside the car doesn't look like they're moving. However, the person outside isn't moving and you're the one who's actually moving. This is all because you have different reference points. In your case, it's the car. In the person on the side of the road's case, it is the ground. Now, you understand reference points!
Reference Points:
Have you ever been in a car and looked outside and passed someone standing by the side of the road? They looked like they were moving, right? And you looked like you were staying still, correct? This is because of reference points. You're sitting inside the car and your reference point is the car. Because of this, anyone inside the car doesn't look like they're moving. However, the person outside isn't moving and you're the one who's actually moving. This is all because you have different reference points. In your case, it's the car. In the person on the side of the road's case, it is the ground. Now, you understand reference points!
March 6, 2016
What is Motion?:
What is motion? The simple answer is anything moving. However, it can get much more in-depth than that. Motion is often measured in a few different ways. First, we have speed. This is how fast something is moving. We measure this in miles per hour (MPH), kilometers per hour (km/h), meters per second (m/s), and many other ways. For speed, we can take any unit of distance and measure how far it goes in a certain time. Then we write the distance it went in that time by writing it like this: [distance traveled] per [amount of time]. In the coming weeks, we will explore more about motion, how to measure it, and how motion can change. Be sure to stay tuned for more articles on motion!
What is Motion?:
What is motion? The simple answer is anything moving. However, it can get much more in-depth than that. Motion is often measured in a few different ways. First, we have speed. This is how fast something is moving. We measure this in miles per hour (MPH), kilometers per hour (km/h), meters per second (m/s), and many other ways. For speed, we can take any unit of distance and measure how far it goes in a certain time. Then we write the distance it went in that time by writing it like this: [distance traveled] per [amount of time]. In the coming weeks, we will explore more about motion, how to measure it, and how motion can change. Be sure to stay tuned for more articles on motion!