4th Grade Science : Transfer of Energy

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

Which object is an example of a device that converts electrical currents into heat energy?

Possible Answers:

The Sun

A freezer

A candle

A toaster

Correct answer:

A toaster

Explanation:

A toaster is an example of how a device can convert electrical currents into heat energy. The toaster is plugged into the electrical outlet and electricity flows through the cord and into the heating elements of the toaster. The toaster than warms and crisps the food item placed inside. The heating coils warm the bread as a result of electrical currents being transferred.

Example Question #2 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

Which answer choice is an example of how electrical currents in nature transfer energy?

Possible Answers:

Power plants

Television sets

Lightning

Lightbulbs

Correct answer:

Lightning

Explanation:

Lightning is a powerful example of electricity in nature. During a thunderstorm, many small bits of ice bump into each other as they move around in the air in the clouds. These collisions create an electric charge. The cloud fills up with electrical charges. The positive charges or protons form at the top of the cloud, and the negative charges or electrons form at the bottom of the cloud. The ground beneath the cloud creates a positive charge. The charge coming up from points on the ground (like treetops or buildings) eventually connects with a charge reaching down from the clouds and lightning strikes.

Example Question #3 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

Juan is trying to build a device to transfer energy through electrical currents and needs to use a conductor to allow the electrons to flow easily. Which material should he choose to use in his design?

Possible Answers:

Copper

Plastic

Wood

Rubber

Correct answer:

Copper

Explanation:

Juan should use copper if he is looking for something that is a good conductor. A conductor is a material that transmits energy. Electrons can flow easily through a conductor. If he chooses the rubber, wood, or plastic, those items are insulators and would prevent the flow of energy because electrons cannot flow easily through an insulator. Electricity is the flow of electrons – tiny negatively charged particles in atoms, so their flow mustn't be hindered.

Example Question #4 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

Energy cannot be transferred from place to place by electric currents.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Energy can be moved from place to place by moving objects or through sound, light, or electric currents. Energy can also be transferred from site to site by electric currents; the currents may have been produced, to begin with by transforming the energy of motion into electrical energy. The statement presented is false because electrical currents can transfer energy.

Example Question #5 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

Jamarious wants to transfer energy by electrical current for a class project. He begins observing simple household examples of electrical currents moving energy. Which answer choice is NOT an example of energy transferring through electricity?

Possible Answers:

The doorbell ringing through the house from the front porch

Pre-heating the oven to bake fresh cookies

Lighting a candle when the power goes out to provide light

Using an air conditioner to cool the house down in the summer

Correct answer:

Lighting a candle when the power goes out to provide light

Explanation:

All of thee examples except for one demonstrate electricity or electrical currents transferring energy in a simple household scenario. Lighting a candle when the power goes out to provide light does not use electricity or an electrical current, so it is the non-example. A candle does produce light and heat energy, but it is through a chemical reaction with the match lighting the wick. All of the other examples are creating a change using electricity.

Example Question #6 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

Why is it important to have a good conductor when trying to transfer energy through electrical currents?

Possible Answers:

Conductors transmit energy so electrons can flow easily

Conductors are not necessary when trying to transfer energy through electrical currents

Conductors block the electrons from traveling so the electricity can build-up

Conductors tell electrons what to do so they can create electricity

Correct answer:

Conductors transmit energy so electrons can flow easily

Explanation:

Because electricity is the flow of electrons, or negatively charged particles in atoms, conductors are necessary when trying to transfer energy through electrical currents. Conductors allow electrons to flow easily, which in turn transmits energy. Someone would not want to block electrons from traveling whatsoever when trying to create an electrical current - materials that do this would be called insulators.

Example Question #7 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

True or false: Insulators assist in the transfer of energy through electrical currents.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Insulators slow down the flow of electrons, which prevents the transfer of energy through electrical currents. For electrical currents to function correctly, the negatively charged particles must be able to flow easily. A conductor would assist in the transfer of energy through electrical currents, while insulators stop it from happening.

Example Question #2 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

Cho wants to observe the transfer of energy through electrical currents at her school. She observes in a few of her classrooms and notices several different energy transfers. Which of the following is an example of an electrical transfer of energy?

Possible Answers:

The overhead lightbulb in the greenhouse turned on

The groundskeeper throwing a broomstick

A cauldron bubbling over a fire

A professor walking the halls with a candle

Correct answer:

The overhead lightbulb in the greenhouse turned on

Explanation:

These responses show a number of different energy transfers. A bubbling cauldron would be an example of a transfer of heat energy. A professor walking the halls with a candle is an example of light energy at work. The thrown broomstick depicts kinetic energy. The lightbulb turning on is an example of a transfer of electrical energy, because electricity causes the wire in the bulb to glow.

Example Question #8 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

True or false: Electrical and heat energy transfers follow the same process.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Heat travels through convection, conduction, and radiation. While both heat energy transfers and electrical energy transfers require good conductors, in a heat energy transfer, the particles begin vibrating and bumping into one another more and more quickly, spreading heat. Electrical currents require electrons to travel through wires or a reaction between positive and negatively charged particles.

Example Question #9 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Electric Currents

True or false: Electrons are negatively charged particles.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Electrons are negatively charged particles, while protons are positively charged. Electrons are the primary carriers of electricity in solid objects.

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