Energy Worksheet - KS3 - Beginner

Energy worksheet for KS3 (Key Stage 3 / Year 7-9 (Ages 11-14)). Beginner level science practice, aligned to the UK National Curriculum. Print-ready with answer key included.

Science•Key Stage 3 / Year 7-9 (Ages 11-14)•Energybeginner

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Energy in Action

Key Stage 3 Science | Ages 11–14 | Beginner

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Instructions: Work through the activities in order. Use the energy-store and transfer ideas in Activity 1 to help with later questions. Show your reasoning where asked, and use the information in each question or table.

Name the Energy Stores

Choose the main energy store described in each example. Use the word bank to help you. Some examples may involve more than one store, but give the best answer for the situation described.

Word bank: chemical, kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic potential, thermal, nuclear

1. A moving cyclist has energy because of their movement.

2. A book held high above the floor has energy due to its position.

3. A stretched elastic band stores energy as it is stretched.

4. A hot mug of tea has energy associated with its temperature.

5. A battery stores energy in chemicals.

Follow the Energy Transfers

For each device, name the useful energy transfer and one other transfer that may occur. Use the forms of energy from the word bank. Energy is transferred between stores or pathways; it is not used up.

Word bank: electrical, light, sound, thermal, kinetic, chemical

1. An electric lamp is switched on. Electrical energy is transferred mainly to ______ energy, and some to ______ energy.

2. An electric fan runs. Electrical energy is transferred mainly to ______ energy, and some to ______ energy.

3. A speaker plays music. Electrical energy is transferred mainly to ______ energy, and some to ______ energy.

4. A battery-powered toy car moves. Energy from the battery's ______ store is transferred to the car's ______ store.

Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it is transferred between stores or spread to the surroundings. Complete each statement using the word bank, then answer the final question. Think about where energy goes when it is no longer useful.

Word bank: transferred, conserved, thermal, surroundings

1. In a falling object, gravitational potential energy is ______ to kinetic energy.

2. In every energy transfer, the total amount of energy is ______.

3. When a machine becomes warm, some energy has been transferred to the ______ store.

4. A moving ball slows down because some of its kinetic energy is transferred to thermal energy and sound in the ball and its ______.

5. Why is the energy in a machine said to be wasted if it spreads to the surroundings? [3 marks]

Renewable or Non-renewable?

Read the resource table. Renewable resources are replenished naturally on a human timescale; non-renewable resources are finite or take millions of years to form. Use the table to answer the questions.

Energy resource	Category	How it provides energy
Wind	Renewable	Moving air turns turbines
Sunlight	Renewable	Solar cells transfer energy electrically
Coal	Non-renewable	Burned to heat water and drive turbines
Natural gas	Non-renewable	Burned to heat water and drive turbines
Hydroelectric	Renewable	Falling water turns turbines
Uranium	Non-renewable	Nuclear reactions release energy

1. How many of the six resources listed are renewable?

2. Name one resource in the table that is burned to provide energy.

3. Which renewable resource uses falling water to turn turbines?

4. Give one reason why coal is non-renewable. [3 marks]

Choose an Energy Resource

Select the best answer for each question. Consider whether a resource is replenished naturally and whether it depends on particular conditions. Each question has one correct answer.

1. Which resource is renewable?

2. Which resource is a fossil fuel?

3. Which statement describes a non-renewable resource?

4. Which resource uses sunlight directly to generate electricity?

Energy in a Home

Use the examples to explain energy stores and transfers in everyday situations. Name the starting store or transfer and where the energy goes. Remember that energy is conserved, even when some spreads to the surroundings.

1. A kettle transfers energy electrically to water. Name the energy store that increases in the water.

2. A person eats food and then runs. Name the store in the food and the store associated with the runner's movement.

3. A torch uses a battery to produce light. Name the starting energy store and one energy store or transfer besides light.

4. A phone charger becomes warm while charging a phone. Where has some energy been transferred? [3 marks]

Answer Key

Activity 1: 1. Kinetic ; 2. Gravitational potential ; 3. Elastic potential ; 4. Thermal ; 5. Chemical

Activity 2: 1. Light ; thermal ; 2. Kinetic ; sound (thermal is also acceptable) ; 3. Sound ; thermal ; 4. Chemical ; kinetic

Activity 3: 1. Transferred ; 2. Conserved ; 3. Thermal ; 4. Surroundings ; 5. It has spread to the surroundings and is less useful for the intended task, but it has not disappeared; the total energy is still conserved.

Activity 4: 1. Three ; 2. Coal or natural gas ; 3. Hydroelectric ; 4. Coal is finite and takes millions of years to form, so it is not replenished on a human timescale.

Activity 5: 1. Wind ; 2. Natural gas ; 3. It is finite or forms very slowly ; 4. Solar energy

Activity 6: 1. Thermal ; 2. Chemical ; kinetic ; 3. Chemical ; thermal or sound ; 4. Some energy is transferred to the thermal store of the charger and its surroundings; the energy has spread and is less useful for charging, but it has not been destroyed.