One of energy's greatest benefits is that it can be
converted from one form to another. That allows us to do work.
Here are some other ways energy is changed from one form to
another.
• Stored energy in a flashlight's
batteries becomes light energy when turned on.
• When you talk on the phone,
your voice is changed to electrical energy. The phone on
the other end changes the electrical energy into sound energy.
• A car uses stored chemical energy
in gasoline to move. The engine changes the chemical
energy into heat and kinetic energy to power the car.
• The food you eat contains energy
stored as chemical potential energy. Your body uses the
stored energy to do work - kinetic energy.
• If you overeat, the food's
energy is stored as potential energy in fat.
• A toaster changes electrical
energy into heat energy.
• A television changes electrical
energy into light and sound energy.
Source: California Energy Commission
