G6-Energy Transfers (FK 4.7)_03

Do you see the microphones on the stage? Look closely; they are sitting on either side of the drummer. Microphones are devices that take in sound energy. Inside the device, they turn it into electrical energy. This energy is passed through wires to an amplifier. The amplifier then turns the electrical energy back to sound energy.

For the fans to see the musicians, there must be light. Both musicians have lights aimed at them. This light energy hits the musicians. The light is then reflected back to the eyes of the fans. The bright lights also produce a lot of heat. How do lights produce all that heat and light? Bulbs convert electricity into the light we see and the heat we feel.

The electricity used to power this concert also came from somewhere. Many areas of the world are using the energy of wind and water. They convert this type of energy into electricity. You may have seen large wind turbines spinning in the wind. Wind turbines capture the wind’s energy of motion. The moving air, or wind, turns the big blades. The blades are connected to a turbine. The turbine converts the motion into electricity. Electricity can then move through wires to where it is needed, like this concert.

You have learned about many ways to change energy from one form to another, but one is still missing. Without it, the concert would not take place. Can you guess what it is? It is chemical energy. The musicians need energy. They get their energy from the food they eat. They turn this energy into motion. For this concert at least, they are the most important energy converters on stage.