Chemical Energy — Reading Comprehension

Grades

Standards

MS-PS3-4
4-PS3-3
4-PS3-2

About This Reader

This informational science passage on chemical energy is designed for middle school students and aligns with the NGSS standard MS-PS3-4. It explains how chemical energy is stored in bonds and released during chemical reactions, using age-appropriate language and examples like food, batteries, and burning wood. With a focus on energy transformations and practical applications, the passage promotes reading comprehension and scientific literacy. Students are introduced to key concepts like energy release, storage, and the role of chemical reactions in both natural and man-made systems. The passage includes a fun fact to spark curiosity and is followed by eight multiple-choice questions that target factual recall, critical thinking, inference, and application of knowledge. Ideal for reinforcing core science standards and supporting cross-curricular reading skills.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Have you ever wondered how your body moves or how a car runs? The answer has to do with chemical energy. Chemical energy is a type of potential energy stored in the bonds between atoms and molecules. When these bonds break or form during a chemical reaction, energy is released or absorbed. This energy can then be used to do work, like making muscles move or powering machines.

Chemical energy is found in many everyday things. Food, gasoline, batteries, and even wood all store chemical energy. For example, when you eat food, your body breaks it down and releases energy. This energy helps you walk, talk, and even think! Cars burn gasoline, and the chemical energy inside is turned into motion that moves the vehicle.

Sometimes, chemical energy is released in the form of heat and light. When wood burns in a campfire, a chemical reaction occurs. The bonds in the wood break, and energy is released. This reaction produces heat to keep you warm and light to help you see. In contrast, a cold pack used for injuries absorbs heat when a chemical reaction happens inside, making the pack feel cold.

Chemical reactions don't just happen in nature—they also power technology. Batteries are a great example. Inside a battery, chemicals react to produce electricity. That electricity powers flashlights, phones, and many other devices. Once the chemicals are used up, the battery runs out of energy and must be replaced or recharged.

Fun Fact: A single peanut contains enough chemical energy to boil about half a cup of water! That’s how powerful chemical energy can be.

What is chemical energy?

Energy from the sunEnergy from movementEnergy stored in chemical bondsEnergy created by magnets

Which of these is NOT an example of something that stores chemical energy?

WoodWaterGasolineFood

What happens when chemical bonds break during a reaction?

Light disappearsEnergy is released or absorbedAtoms vanishThe object gets heavier

Why does your body need chemical energy from food?

To grow plantsTo change weatherTo move and thinkTo charge batteries

What is the main idea of the passage?

Batteries are better than gasolineEnergy is always hotChemical energy is a type of stored energy used in many waysOnly machines use chemical energy

How is a battery similar to a burning log?