The Great Energy Switch

• Databot with temperature probe

• IOS/Android Smart Device

• Small LED light (for electrical to
  light transformation)

• Hand warmer pack or vinegar
  and baking soda

• Rubber band or small drum

The Great Energy Switch

Overview

Background

What You Will Need/Prep

• Test your databot™ connection.

• You will be prompted to select
  and connect to databot™ each
  time you launch an experiment.

• If there are two or more
  databot™'s listed, the one
  closest to your device will be
  highlighted.

• Study the background
  information and terms and
  prepare to explore!

Energy is all around us, constantly changing from
one form to another. In this lesson, you'll explore
how energy transforms in everyday situations—like
how electrical energy powers a lightbulb or how
mechanical energy creates sound. Let’s dive into the
science of energy transformations and see how they
power our world!

• Install Vizeey™ on your
  Smart device.

• Scan the QR code to load
  the experiment.

Grades: Middle School

Time: 45 Minutes

Subject: Physical Science

Topics: Energy, Energy Transformation

Energy is a fundamental concept that plays a crucial
role in our daily lives, existing in various forms and
constantly transforming from one type to another.
Understanding energy transformations is essential
for grasping how the world operates, from powering
our homes to enabling movement and
communication.

The process of energy transformation occurs when
energy changes from one form to another. This can
happen in various everyday situations. For example,
when you turn on a light bulb, electrical energy is
converted into light energy, illuminating the room.
Similarly, when you eat food, your body converts the
chemical energy stored in the food into mechanical
energy for movement and thermal energy to
maintain body temperature.

Understanding these transformations helps us
comprehend how energy flows through systems and
how it can be harnessed for practical use.

Light,Temp Probe, Sound

Important Terms

Learning Objectives

Students will learn to:

• Use databot’s sensors to collect, measure, and accurately record data.

• Identify and distinguish between different forms of energy, including electrical, light,
  thermal, and sound energy.

• Explore how electrical energy is transformed into light energy.

• Investigate chemical energy transformations in chemical reactions by observing
  temperature changes.

• Explore the connection between motion and sound.

• Interpret experimental data to draw conclusions about the nature and significance of
  energy transformations in everyday life.

Energy: The ability to do work or cause change. It exists in various forms and is essential
for all physical processes.

Energy Transformation: The process of converting one form of energy into another, such
as electrical energy into light energy.

Electrical Energy: The energy carried by electric charges, which can be transformed into
other forms of energy, like light or thermal energy.

Light Energy: A form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye,
produced by sources such as light bulbs.

Chemical Energy: The energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds; it is released
during chemical reactions, such as combustion.

Sound Energy: The form of energy associated with the vibration of matter, which can be
produced through mechanical actions.

Through hands-on activities and exciting demonstrations, you’ll discover the amazing ways
energy moves and transforms to make life possible.

Light,Temp Probe, Sound

In order to work with the experiment you need to launch the Vizeey application and click on
+ in the upper right corner.

This lab consists of 3 experiments.

There is a separate tab for each experiment.

• Analyze the graph

• By default you will be in Pan and zoom mode
  which allows you to move the data side from side
  to side with your finger or pinch to zoom in or out.

• To see the values at any point of the graph, you
  first need to press the “Pick data” button.

Then select “Add experiment from QR code” and scan
the QR code prepared for this experiment. Your
experiment will appear in the list.

When you start the experiment you will be immediately
offered to connect to your databot. Make sure that
databot is enabled.

• You can connect 2 temperature sensors to
  the databot at once.

• In the experiment, we use only the one
  sensor. It is important to connect it to the
  correct port for normal operation.

• Click on any point on the chart to see the values.

Light,Temp Probe, Sound

Predict the type of energy transformation you expect to see in each experiment and
describe how it might occur.

Prediction for Electrical to Light Energy:

Prediction for Chemical to Thermal Energy:

Prediction for Mechanical to Sound Energy:

Part 1: Initial Observations and Questions

Part 2: Hypothesis

Part 3: Experiment Procedure and Data Analysis

Electrical to Light Energy

By doing this experiment, you will gain hands-on experience observing how electrical
energy is converted into light energy, which will strengthen your understanding of energy
conversion in everyday life.

Light,Temp Probe, Sound

• Tap on "The Great Energy Switch" in Vizeey to load the experiment.

• You will be prompted to connect to databot.

  • Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!

  • A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

• Choose the tab “Illuminance” and start your experiment using:

• Use these icons at the top of the screen in Vizeey to start and to pause
  the experiment.

Prepare:

• Databot

• Light source (e.g., a lamp or LED light)

• Power source for the lamp

• Install the lamp and fix it securely. Turn it on.

  • This is your light source.

• Turn on databot.

Experiment Steps:

• Position databot at a specific distance from the light source.

• Gradually move databot closer to or further away from the lamp while observing the
  changes in light intensity displayed on the graph.

Why Does a Lamp Emit Light?

A lamp emits light as a result of electrical energy being transformed into light energy
through a process called incandescence.

Incandescent Bulbs: In incandescent bulbs, electrical energy flows through a filament,
heating it until it glows and emits visible light. The conversion of electrical energy into
thermal energy causes the filament to reach high temperatures, producing both heat and
light.

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes): In LED lights, electrical energy excites electrons in a
semiconductor material, causing them to release energy in the form of photons (light). This
process is much more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, resulting in less heat
loss and more effective light production.

Write down your observations.

Light,Temp Probe, Sound

• Tap on "The Great Energy Switch" in Vizeey to load the experiment.

• You will be prompted to connect to databot.

  • Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!

  • A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

• Choose the tab "Temperature" for this part of experiment.

• Start and stop your experiment using:

Materials Needed

• Databot

• Temperature sensor

• Vinegar and baking soda

• Container

• Gather all necessary materials and ensure that the workspace is clean and organized.

• Turn on databot.

• Connect the temperature probe to databot.

Chemical to Thermal Energy

By doing this experiment, you will observe and
measure the transformation of chemical energy
into thermal energy using databot and a chemical
reaction.

Experiment Steps:

Ensure that students remain at a safe distance from any reactions, especially if
using vinegar and baking soda, as it can produce foam.

• Measure approximately 1 tablespoon of
  baking soda and place it in the container.

• Place the temperature probe into the
  container with baking soda. Write down
  the initial temperature in the table.

• Pour about 1/4 cup of vinegar into the
  container with the baking soda.

• Be prepared for bubbling and fizzing as a
  result of the reaction.

• Observe the temperature changes and
  enter the data you received in the table.

Write down your observations.

Light,Temp Probe, Sound

• Tap on "The Great Energy Switch" in Vizeey to load the experiment.

• You will be prompted to connect to databot.

  • Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!

  • A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

• Choose the tab "Sound Intensity" for this part of experiment.

• Start your experiment using and to pause the experiment.

Materials Needed

• Databot

• Plastic bottle with a lid (filled with water)

• Metal can

• A container to catch the dripping water

• Tape (for securing databot)

• Prepare databot and the metal can. Use tape to securely attach databot to the metal
  can, ensuring that the sensors are directed towards the can.

• Take a second plastic bottle filled with water, turn it upside down, and slightly loosen
  the lid to allow water to drip out slowly.

• Turn on databot.

Mechanical to Sound Energy

By doing this experiment, you will observe
and measure the transformation of
mechanical energy into sound energy using
databot and drops of water .

Experiment Steps:

Place the bottle at an angle so that water
drops do not fall on databot.

• Make sure the classroom is as quiet as
  possible to accurately capture sound data.

• Hold the bottle with water above the metal can
  so that the water drips onto it. The droplets
  should fall directly onto the surface of the can.

• databot will record the sound produced by
  each droplet hitting the metal can.

• Change the height from which the water
  droplets fall and observe how this affects the
  sound level recorded by databot.

• After collecting data, analyze how changes in
  drop height influence sound intensity

Light,Temp Probe, Sound

Part 6: Reflection

1. What was the most surprising or interesting observation you made during the
   experiments? Why did it stand out to you?

2. How has your understanding of energy transformations changed as a result of these
experiments? Can you explain energy transformations in your own words now?

3.If you were to repeat these experiments, what changes would you make to improve data
collection or observations?

Part 5: Concept Questions

Light,Temp Probe, Sound