Students start at the top of a roller coaster on this three-page 4th grade science worksheet, deciding whether point A or point B holds the most potential energy. The work follows NGSS 4-PS3-1, which links an object's speed to its energy. A match-up then has them label pictures from a four-item word bank of heat, light, sound, and motion energy. The last section introduces Energy Transfer through a toaster that takes electrical energy from the wall outlet.
4-PS3-1
“Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.”
The kinetic energy definition (the faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has) and question 1 on roller coaster points A and B.
Two short definitions tie height to potential energy and speed to kinetic energy. In question 1, students pick point A or B on the roller coaster and explain their choice.
Students label each picture with a form from the word bank: Heat (Thermal), Light, Sound, or Motion (Mechanical) Energy.
The page states that energy is never lost and only changes form. Question 2 asks what forms of energy a toaster turns electricity into, and students must name at least one.
Lesson opener
Project the roller coaster before you define either term. Ask students where the cars would move fastest, then compare that with their answer to question 1.
Pair work
Give each pair one pencil for the Forms of Energy Match-Up. Partners must agree on a label before anyone writes, so the talk about each picture happens out loud.
Exit question
Use question 2 on its own at the end of the lesson. It asks for only one form of energy, so it quickly shows who sees electricity changing into something else.
Get started today
