C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Energy·conceptual

Energy stores and transfers

Identify the main energy stores (kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic potential, thermal, chemical, nuclear, electromagnetic) and the pathways by which energy is transferred between stores (mechanically, electrically, by heating, by radiation)

Suggested ages 11–12

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Evidence of understanding

  • Names and describes at least five energy stores with a real-world example of each
  • Identifies the energy stores at the start and end of a given process (e.g. a falling ball, a burning match)
  • Describes the transfer pathway connecting two energy stores in a given scenario
  • Traces energy through a system identifying all stores and transfers involved

Assessment prompt

If Energy stores and transfers watched a ball being thrown upward and then falling back down, could they describe what type of energy the ball has at the top of its arc and at the bottom — and explain what happened to the energy between those two points?

Standards alignment

MS-PS3-1US · ngss-ms

MS-PS3-1

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle School

MS-PS3-2US · ngss-ms

MS-PS3-2

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle School

KS3.Sci.Phys.Energy.1GB · uk-nc-2013

Energy Stores and Systems

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3