Forms of Energy Teaching Resources
Explore forms of energy in your science classes with experiments, activities and more resources for teachers!
From lesson plans on electricity to worksheets about thermal energy, this collection is packed with NGSS 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 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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Understanding Conductors Teaching Slides
Teach your students about the basics of conductors with this 17-slide teaching presentation.
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The Wonders of Circuits – Leveled Comprehension Worksheet Pack
Encourage your students to read and learn about circuits with this leveled worksheet pack.
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Sources of Heat Teaching Slides
Learn about the different sources of heat with this set of engaging teaching slides.
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Conductors and Insulators Teaching Slides
Teach your students about insulators and conductors of thermal and electrical energy with this set of teaching slides.
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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 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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Heat Energy Sources Interactive Activity
Help students identify different sources of heat energy with this engaging, interactive activity.
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Heat Energy Vocabulary Match Up Activity
Explore different heat energy vocabulary words with this definition and word match-up 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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Natural and Human Made Heat Sources Sort
Explore the different man-made and natural heat sources with this sorting activity.
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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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Natural or Man-Made Sound? Worksheet
Use sound energy worksheet to help students differentiate between natural and man-made sounds by sorting their sources.
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Sound Energy Sources Interactive
With your students, explore the sources of sound energy and how we sense them using this interactive science activity.
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Sound Energy Poster Set
Display this set of 5 sound energy posters in your classroom to help students remember key information about this form of energy.
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Exploring Sound Energy Worksheet Pack
Enhance your students' comprehension of sound energy concepts, whilst catering to a range of learning needs, with this set of 11 worksheets.
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Sound Energy Project (Rubber Band Musical Instruments)
Use this sound energy experiment to help your students visualize sound using everyday items.
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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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Heat Sources Cut-and-Paste Worksheet
Explore different types of heat sources with your students using this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Heat Insulators Science Experiment (Keeping Out the Heat)
Investigate heat insulators with your students using this engaging science experiment.
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1st Grade Thermal Conductors and Insulators Sorting Worksheet
Explore materials and everyday items as heat conductors or heat insulators during your heat energy unit with this cut-and paste worksheet.
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What is Heat? Poster
Explore the concept of heat energy with this classroom poster.
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Heat Sources Sorting Activity
Explore various sources of heat with this printable sorting activity for your students.
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Heat Sources Poster Set
Display these heat sources posters during your heat energy science unit.
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Thermal Energy Word Wall Vocabulary
Explore heat energy vocabulary with this set of thermal energy vocabulary cards.
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Thermal Energy Movement Teaching Slides
Explore thermal energy, the movement of particles, and the effect on the state of matter with your students using these teaching slides and guided notes.
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Electricity Crossword Puzzle
Review vocabulary for electricity concepts with a science crossword puzzle.
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Insulators and Conductors Poster Set
Teach your students about the characteristics of insulators and conductors with this set of science posters for the classroom.
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Conductors and Insulators Worksheet
Use this insulators and conductors worksheet with your students to practice identifying the characteristics of thermal and electrical energy.
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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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How Do Circuits Work? Worksheet
Guide your students to create a diagram that shows complete and incomplete circuits and explain their function with this worksheet.
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The History of Electricity - Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Read to learn about the history of electricity with a pack of printable Reading Comprehension worksheets.