Science·Energy·conceptual
Energy can't be created or destroyed
Explain the principle of conservation of energy (energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between stores), and describe how energy is dissipated as thermal energy to the surroundings in all real processes
Suggested ages 11–12
Evidence of understanding
- States the law of conservation of energy
- Explains why the total energy in a closed system is always the same even though it changes form
- Explains what dissipation means and why it happens in real machines (friction, air resistance)
- Gives an example showing why 'wasted' energy is not lost but transferred to the surroundings
Assessment prompt
If Energy can't be created or destroyed charged their phone overnight and was asked where the electrical energy goes, could they explain what conservation of energy means — and why the charger gets warm even though that heat isn’t doing any useful work?
Standards alignment
MS-PS3-5US · ngss-ms
MS-PS3-5
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle School
KS3.Sci.Phys.Energy.2GB · uk-nc-2013
Energy Changes in a System
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3