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Electrical Energy Transfer — Reading Comprehension

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This 4th-grade science passage explores the concept of electrical energy transfer, a key topic in the NGSS standards. Students will learn that electrical energy, which comes from the movement of electrons, can be easily transferred and transformed into other forms of energy. The passage provides a simple definition of energy and uses a circuit with a battery and light bulb as an example. This resource is designed to improve reading comprehension skills while teaching foundational science concepts. It aligns with the NGSS standard PS3.A, which focuses on the definition of energy and its transfer.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Electrical Energy Transfer

Electricity helps us every day, but it goes on a long journey before we can use it. Electrical energy transfer is the process of moving electricity from where it is made to where it is needed—like your home or school.

How Electricity Is Made
Electricity begins at a power plant. There, big machines spin magnets near wire coils. This spinning creates electricity. The energy to spin these machines can come from burning fuel (chemical energy), the wind, or the sun.

The Journey Through Power Lines
Once made, electricity travels through thick transmission lines on tall towers. These lines carry electricity at very high voltage, which helps it travel long distances without losing much energy.

Transformers Change Voltage
On its journey, electricity passes through transformers. These special machines can increase voltage for traveling far, or decrease it to make it safe for homes and schools.

Getting to Your Home
From the transmission lines, electricity moves to local power lines. These lines bring it to buildings. Inside the walls, wires carry electricity to outlets where you plug in your devices.

Energy Changes Along the Way
As electricity travels, it sometimes turns into other forms of energy. For example, in a lamp, electrical energy becomes light. In a toaster, it turns into heat. In a fan, it makes motion. In a speaker, it becomes sound. Not all energy is used—some is lost as heat along the way. That’s why power lines can hum or feel warm.

Why Wires Matter and Wireless Charging
Wires give electrons a path to flow, just like cars need roads to travel. Some devices use wireless charging. This uses magnetism to move energy short distances—no wires needed!

Safety
High-voltage lines are very dangerous! Never touch or go near fallen wires.

Comparing the Journey
Electrical energy transfer is like a relay race. Electricity is passed from the power plant, through wires and transformers, all the way to your house. Each part is important to keep the energy moving safely and quickly.

Interesting Fact: Some power lines can carry electricity for hundreds of miles without stopping!

Where is electricity first made?

Power plantTransformerOutletsLocal wires

What do transformers do?

Change voltageMake lightSpin magnetsCarry electrons

What do wires provide for electrons?

A pathA houseA magnetA speaker

Why are transmission lines tall?

To carry electricity farTo make heatTo hold devicesTo spin magnets

What happens to some energy during transfer?

It is lost as heatIt becomes waterIt grows biggerIt turns to ice

What does electricity become in a lamp?