The Magic Of Energy

• Databot with temperature probe

• IOS/Android Smart Device

• Magnifying lens.

• Fluorescent toy.

• A dark box or covered area for
  light intensity measurements.

• Rubber eraser or cork block

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!

The Magic of Energy

Energy surrounds us and constantly transforms
from one form to another. In this lesson, you will
explore three exciting experiments to better
understand energy transformations: mechanical
energy to thermal energy, solar energy to thermal
energy, and light energy to luminous energy.

• 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 key concept that shapes the way we
experience the world around us. It exists in various
forms—mechanical, solar, thermal, and light—and is
constantly transforming from one type to another.
Recognizing these transformations is crucial for
understanding how energy powers our daily lives,
from heating our homes to illuminating our nights.

Energy transformations occur when energy changes
its form. For example, when you rub an object, the
mechanical energy of motion converts into thermal
energy, producing heat. Similarly, sunlight focused
through a magnifying lens can increase the
temperature of an object, demonstrating the
transformation of solar energy into thermal energy.
Even light can charge special objects, enabling them
to emit a glow, showcasing the conversion of light
energy into luminous energy.

By studying these processes, we gain insights into
how energy flows through systems and how it can be
effectively harnessed to meet human needs. This
lesson invites you to explore and measure these
transformations firsthand, deepening your
understanding of the science that powers our
everyday lives.

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Important Terms

Learning Objectives

Students will learn to:

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

• Observe and analyze energy transformations:

  • Mechanical to thermal.

  • Solar to thermal.

  • Light to luminous.

• Interpret experimental data to draw meaningful conclusions.

• Understand how energy transformations impact daily life.

• Explain energy transformations in your own words.

Energy Transformation: The process of energy changing from one form to another.

Mechanical Energy: Energy associated with motion or position.

Thermal Energy: Heat energy, a form of energy transfer.

Solar Energy: Energy from the sun in the form of light or heat.

Light Energy: Visible electromagnetic radiation.

Luminous Energy: Light emitted by an object after being energized.

Through hands-on activities with databot, you will observe and measure different energy
transformations, learning about their significance in everyday life.

Interesting Facts

The law of conservation of energy: Despite all the transformations, energy does not arise
from nothing and does not disappear without a trace. It only passes from one form to
another.

The energy balance of the Earth: The Sun is the main source of energy for our planet. The
energy of the Sun supports all life processes on Earth, from plant growth to the movement
of ocean currents.

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

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

This lab consists of 2 experiments.

Each experiment has its own separate tab for
easy access.

• 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.

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
  databot at once.

• In the experiment, you 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.

After you run the experiment on the databot, the LED signaling its operation will
stop glowing. This is normal, don't worry. This is done so that the light from the
LED does not interfere with collecting readings from its own glow.

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

Prediction for Mechanical to Thermal Energy:

Prediction for Solar to Thermal Energy:

Prediction for Light to Luminous Energy:

Part 1: Initial Observations and Questions

Part 2: Hypothesis

Part 3: Experiment Procedure and Data Analysis

Mechanical to Thermal Energy

By doing this experiment, you will gain hands-on experience observe and measure the
transformation of mechanical energy into thermal energy by rubbing a material and
recording the temperature changes.

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• Tap on "The Magic of Energy" 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” and start your experiment using:

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

• Databot with a temperature sensor

• Rubber eraser or cork block

• Turn on the databot and connect the temperature sensor.

Prepare:

Experiment Steps:

• Place the sensor on the surface of the cork block and leave it for 4 minutes to return to
  normal temperature

• Record the initial temperature. __________________________

• Remove the temperature sensor and vigorously rub the cork block for 30 seconds.

• Immediately place the sensor back on the surface and record the final temperature.

__________________________________________

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Write down your observations.

• Tap on “The Magic of Energy" 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”. Start your experiment using:

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

• Turn on the databot and connect the temperature sensor.

• Place the databot in a location where it can receive direct sunlight or strong light.

• Ensure the temperature sensor is exposed to the light.

Materials Needed

• Databot with a temperature sensor

• Magnifying lens

• A sunny outdoor location or a strong
  indoor light source (e.g., a lamp that
  mimics sunlight)

Solar to Thermal Energy

By doing this experiment, you will observe and
measure the transformation of solar energy into
thermal energy by focusing sunlight with a
magnifying lens.

Experiment Steps:

The temperature sensor can withstand temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius.
Do not heat above this temperature.

• Place the sensor on the surface and leave it for
  4 minutes to return to normal temperature

• Record the initial temperature ________________

• Hold the magnifying lens above the sensor and
  adjust its position to focus the sunlight (or
  light) onto a small area of the sensor.

• Keep the focused light steady for 30–60
  seconds.

• Record the final temperature of the sensor.

___________________________

Write down your observations.

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• Tap on "The Magic of Energy" in Vizeey.

• 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 run your experiment.

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

• Turn on the databot.

• Place the fluorescent toy in a dark box with the databot and close the box

Materials Needed

• Databot

• Fluorescent toy (e.g., glow-in-the-dark
  toy)

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

• Dark box

Mechanical to Sound Energy

By doing this experiment, you will observe
and measure the transformation of light
energy into luminous energy using a
fluorescent toy that absorbs light and later
emits it as a glow.

Experiment Steps:

• Measure its initial light intensity and record the readings.
  ______________________________________________

• Remove the toy from the box and shine a light source on it
  for 1-2 minutes. Make sure the light source is close
  enough to effectively charge the toy.

• Place the charged toy back in the dark box and measure its
  light intensity again with the databot.

• Record the new readings.

______________________________________________

• Compare the light intensity before and after exposure to
  the light source to assess the glow effect.

Write down your observations.

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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

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