1. Science Focus Lesson SC.5.P.10.2 Energy Causes Change
Elementary Science
Science Focus Lesson
SC.5.P.10.2
Energy Causes Change
Benchmark Clarifications
Students will explain that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change.
Students will identify and/or describe examples where energy has caused motion or created changes.
Students will describe and/or explain how water and/or air are sources of energy.
Content Limits
Items will not assess sound and chemical energy.
Stimulus Attribute
Comparative words such as greater than, less than, faster, or slower should be used when describing motion.
Scenarios will NOT use weathering and/or erosion as a context.
Polk County Public Schools

2. SC.5.P.10.2
Benchmark: Investigate and explain that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change. Essential Question: How does energy cause motion or create change? Vocabulary: Energy
Benchmark Clarifications
Students will explain that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change.
Students will identify and/or describe examples where energy has caused motion or created changes.
Students will describe and/or explain how water and/or air are sources of energy.
Content Limits
Items will not assess sound and chemical energy.
Stimulus Attribute
Comparative words such as greater than, less than, faster, or slower should be used when describing motion.
Scenarios will NOT use weathering and/or erosion as a context.

3. Energy is the ability to do work.
In Science, work is done when a force moves an object. Energy can cause motion. Energy can also cause changes in matter.
Energy is a property of matter, and all matter has it. Whenever a light bulb is lit, a turkey is roasted, an orchestra plays, a fan spins, a book falls off the shelf, or a fire burns, you can be sure that energy made it happen.

4. Energy can cause changes in matter.
People use electrical energy to start car engines,
run the headlights and taillights, and light buildings and streets.
Heat energy deep below the Earth’s surface makes
a volcano erupt. The eruption can throw lava, rocks,
and ash high into the air.
Plants use the energy in sunlight to change carbon
dioxide gas and water into a simple sugar for food.

5. Summarize
Look at the pictures below. With your shoulder partner, explain how energy in each picture causes motion or creates change. Write a sentence for each if time allows.

6. Wind is a source of energy
Moving air, or wind, contains energy. In the past, this energy has turned windmills used to pump water or grind grain. Today, windmills or wind turbines are used to generate electricity.

7. Wind is a source of energy
Windmills change the energy of moving air into electrical energy. Wind turns the windmill’s blades. The blades turn a rod that is connected to a generator that produces electricity. But using windmills to generate electricity only works well
in places where wind blows steadily.

8. water is a source of energy
Moving water has energy. Hydroelectric power plants use turbines and generators to convert the energy or moving water into electricity. Most hydroelectric power plants are part of dams built across rivers.

9. water is a source of energy
In some coastal areas, the moving water in ocean tides is used to generate electricity. A dam is built over a narrow bay. Rising and falling tides power turbines and generators, just like in a river dam. The water in rivers and along ocean coasts is always moving.

10. Summary
With your shoulder partner, discuss how air and water are sources of energy. If time allows, make a list of energy in these pictures that causes motion or creates change.

11. Guided Practice Work with your shoulder partner to answer each question
1. Frank uses a bowling ball to demonstrate how energy can cause changes. Which of the following actions would NOT demonstrate a change caused by applying energy to the ball?
A. He holds the bowling ball in both hands.
B. He spins the bowling ball with one hand.
C. He rolls the bowling ball across the floor.
D. He lifts the bowling ball to place it on a shelf.

12. “A” is the correct answer!
He holds the bowling ball in both hands.

13. Guided Practice
2. Hydroelectric power creates electricity by using moving __________. A. Heat B. Air C. Water D. Light

14. “C” is the correct answer!
Water

15. Guided Practice 3. How does the Sun’s energy create change in plants?
A. It allows the plant to breathe.
B. It changes carbon dioxide and water into food.
C. It changes the position of the plant.
D. It gives water to the plant.

16. “B” is the correct answer!
It changes carbon dioxide and water into food.

17. Summary
With your shoulder partner, describe energy changes that can be found around your school. Think about your classroom, the cafeteria, PE, Music, Art, and other areas of the school.

18. Check Your Understanding Record your answers. Check them at the end.
1. Sara just got her drivers license and is driving to high school for the first time. Which of the following actions would demonstrate that energy causes change?
A. She is stopped waiting for some students to cross the street.
B. She pushes the gas when the light turns green.
C. She is parked in her assigned parking space.
D. She is stopped at a red light.

19. Check Your Understanding
2. Maria uses a basketball to demonstrate how energy can cause changes. Which of the following actions would NOT demonstrate a change caused by applying energy to the ball?
A. She shoots the basketball into the hoop.
B. She dribbles the ball down the basketball court.
C. She holds the ball in her hands before the game starts.
D. She passes the ball to one of her teammates.

20. Check Your Understanding
3. Windmills or wind turbines use wind to create _________________. A. Heat Energy B. Light Energy C. Sound Energy D. Electrical Energy

21. Check Your Understanding
4. Jason’s family takes a trip to watch a horse race. Which of the following actions would NOT demonstrate a change caused by the horses on the track?
A. The horses shoot out of the gate when they hear the gun sound.
B. The horses run faster when the jockey yells.
C. The horses are standing still at the gate waiting for the race to start.
D. The horse cross the finish line.

22. Check Your Answers B C D

23. Summary
Write a summary paragraph explaining how energy can cause motion or create change.