Energy Types and Conservation Quiz

Grade 7 · Science · Quiz

10-question quiz on forms of energy, energy conversions, and the Law of Conservation of Energy.

Questions

1. A book sitting on a shelf has which type of energy?

   1. Kinetic
   2. Thermal
   3. Nuclear
   4. Gravitational potential
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   Answer: Gravitational potential

   A book on a shelf has gravitational potential energy due to its height. If it falls, that PE converts to kinetic energy as it accelerates toward the ground.

2. When a car burns gasoline, chemical energy is converted to mechanical energy.

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   Answer: True

   Combustion of gasoline releases chemical energy. The engine converts that to the mechanical energy of the moving car (plus heat, which is wasted energy).

3. Energy stored in chemical bonds is called ___ energy.

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   Answer: chemical

   Chemical energy is stored in the arrangement of atoms within molecules. It is released when bonds are broken during chemical reactions like combustion or digestion.

4. Which type of energy is carried by electromagnetic waves such as light?

   1. Thermal
   2. Nuclear
   3. Radiant
   4. Mechanical
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   Answer: Radiant

   Radiant energy travels as electromagnetic waves without needing a medium. Visible light, UV, infrared, microwaves, and X-rays are all forms of radiant energy.

5. A moving object has potential energy but not kinetic energy.

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   Answer: False

   A moving object has kinetic energy (from its motion). It may also have potential energy, but kinetic energy is directly defined by its movement.

6. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, when a ball hits the floor and stops, the kinetic energy:

   1. Is destroyed
   2. Is converted to sound and heat
   3. Becomes nuclear energy
   4. Stays as kinetic energy in the floor
   Show answer

   Answer: Is converted to sound and heat

   Energy is conserved — it cannot disappear. When a ball stops, its kinetic energy converts to sound energy (the thud you hear) and thermal energy (a tiny bit of heat from impact).

7. The sum of an object's kinetic and potential energy is called its ___ energy.

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   Answer: mechanical

   Mechanical energy = KE + PE. For a roller coaster at any point on the track, the total mechanical energy (ignoring friction) stays constant as KE and PE trade off.

8. Thermal energy and temperature mean the same thing.

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   Answer: False

   Temperature measures the AVERAGE kinetic energy per particle. Thermal energy is the TOTAL kinetic energy of ALL particles. A bathtub of warm water has more thermal energy than a cup of boiling water.

9. A solar panel converts which type of energy into electrical energy?

   1. Chemical
   2. Radiant (light)
   3. Nuclear
   4. Thermal
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   Answer: Radiant (light)

   Solar panels use photovoltaic cells that absorb photons (radiant/light energy) and knock electrons loose, generating electrical current.

10. As a pendulum swings from its highest point to its lowest point, what energy conversion occurs?

    1. Kinetic to potential
    2. Potential to kinetic
    3. Thermal to chemical
    4. Nuclear to radiant
    Show answer

    Answer: Potential to kinetic

    At the top of the swing, the pendulum has maximum potential energy and minimum kinetic energy. As it swings to the bottom, PE converts to KE, reaching maximum speed at the lowest point.

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