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Understanding Mechanical Energy — Reading Comprehension

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

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This science passage is crafted for 6th–8th grade students and focuses on mechanical energy—specifically the combination of kinetic and potential energy. The passage aligns with NGSS standard MS-PS3-4 and includes relatable scenarios such as a swinging pendulum, lifting objects, and running. It helps students understand how energy can transfer between forms and how mechanical energy is used in machines, transportation, and daily life. The passage includes clear explanations, age-appropriate vocabulary, and strong sentence structure variety. Eight multiple-choice questions test comprehension through factual recall, inference, and concept application. Teachers will find it a valuable classroom or homework resource that promotes science literacy, while students will benefit from the engaging, standards-based content that supports both science understanding and reading comprehension development.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Mechanical energy is the energy an object has because of its motion or position. It is the sum of two types of energy: kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. For example, a moving car, a rolling ball, or a person running all have kinetic energy. The faster something moves, the more kinetic energy it has.

Potential energy is stored energy. This energy comes from an object's position or condition. For instance, when you lift a rock above the ground, it has potential energy due to gravity. The higher you lift it, the more potential energy it gains. If you let go, the potential energy turns into kinetic energy as the rock falls.

Mechanical energy can change from one form to another. A good example is a swinging pendulum. When the pendulum is at its highest point, it has maximum potential energy. As it swings down, that energy turns into kinetic energy. At the bottom of the swing, kinetic energy is at its highest. Then, as it moves upward again, kinetic energy becomes potential energy.

Mechanical energy is important in everyday life. It helps machines work, allows people to move, and plays a role in sports, transportation, and building construction. Understanding how mechanical energy works can help us design better tools and use energy more efficiently.

Fun Fact: A hammer uses mechanical energy every time you swing it—your motion provides kinetic energy, and the height of the hammer adds potential energy before impact!

What are the two types of mechanical energy?

Heat and lightKinetic and potentialElectrical and thermalSound and gravitational

What kind of energy does a moving object have?

Potential energyNuclear energyChemical energyKinetic energy

When you lift a rock, it gains energy because of its...

SpeedTemperaturePositionShape

What happens when potential energy is released?

It disappearsIt becomes kinetic energyIt freezesIt becomes sound

Which of these best shows mechanical energy at work?

A battery storing powerA microwave heating foodA soccer player kicking a ballA book sitting on a table

What happens at the lowest point of a swinging pendulum?

It has no energyIt has the most potential energyIt has the most kinetic energyIt stops moving