in the

of the

Story by:
Elias A. Abaya Jr. III
Grade Six Science Teacher
National Capital Region
Division of City Schools Las Piñas
 Mel loves to play with machines. One day, he had
a dream. He dreamt about a place full of machines.
Energy comes in different forms. You use energy stored in your arm muscles to throw a ball. To
turn on the lights, electricity is used. Energy stored in fuel is ready to power a car engine and turn the wheels.
Sailboats use the energy of blowing wind. These are just some forms of energy we come across in the world
around us. One of these energy form is mechanical energy.

Mechanical energy is the energy that can produce movement. It makes

action-such as pushing, pulling, drilling, lifting, dropping, rolling and turning-possible.

Your mission is to describe how mechanical energy is formed and used.

As you go through the various activities you will observe and describe how water
and wind can move objects. You could infer and find out how mechanical energy
is formed, identify its sources and how mechanical energy can be applied in our
daily lives.

This instructional material presents a series of activities: scramble the

letters to identify the sources of mechanical energy, use the sources to make the
machines move, and match the pictures to learn the uses of mechanical energy.
Perform the following activities and observe the effects of mechanical energy.

1
 Let’s follow Mel as
he goes in an adventure in
the land of machines.

2
 Mel was amazed to see the different
machines. But he wonders how
these machines work.
Help Mel identify the
sources to make machines
move.

3
 Activity 1: What Makes Objects Move?

Rearrange the scrambled letters below to form a word corresponding to the given
situation.
1.The __________ from the fan turns the propeller of the windmill.
IWDN
2. The flowing __________ from the cup that made the turbine spin.
EAWRT
3. The human body needs __________ to be able to perform
different activities like catching the coin and stretching the
spring.
ODFO
4. __________ made the soda can robug emit sound and moves
across the floor.
RTEYBTA

Rate this activity:

_____ Easy  _____ Average  _____ Difficult 

4
Learning the different sources,
Mel is excited to
find out
how they can make
machines move.
Turn to the next page and help
Mel discover ways on how to
move machines.

5
Activity 2: What is Mechanical Energy?

Activity 2-A: Water Power

Materials: improvised water turbine, basin, water
Procedure:
a. Make an improvised water turbine by cutting
different lengths of PVC pipes, a plastic cup,
straw and plastic table spoons.
b. Connect them together as seen on the picture.
c. Place the improvised water turbine on a table.
d. Pinch the tip of the straw while pouring water on
the cup.
e. Release your fingers to let the water flow.
f. Watch what happens to the turbine once the water
starts to drip.

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Observation:
1. What happened to the turbine when water starts to drip from the cup?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. What made the water turbine moved? ____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. What energy is formed when the turbine starts to move?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

I learned that
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Rate this activity:

_____ Easy  _____ Average  _____ Difficult 

7
Activity 2-B: The Force of Wind
Materials: improvised windmill, empty bottle, electric fan
Procedure:
a. Construct a pinwheel by cutting a 4x4inches square card board.
Fold the square twice to form a triangle to get the middle mark.
b. Unfold then pierce a center hole. Cut along the folded mark
leaving a 1 centimeter space from the center hole. Fold the
corners to the center hole as shown in the picture below.

c. Screw the pinwheel to the rotor to make an improvised

windmill.
d. Place the windmill in front of an electric fan. Switch the
fan on.
e. Watch the windmill and observe what happens to the
bulb attached to it.

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Observation:
1. What happened to the rotor of the pinwheel when you switch on the fan?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. What made the rotor moved?
__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. What energy is formed by the spinning pinwheel?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. What was produced by the windmill? __________________
________________________________________________

I learned that _______________________________________

__________________________________________________

Rate this activity:

_____ Easy  _____ Average  _____ Difficult  9

Activity 2-C: Soda Can Robug
Materials: Toy bug, batteries, empty aluminum can
Procedure:
a. Place the batteries in the toy bug.
b. Insert the soda can into the rings.
c. Switch the toy bug on.
d. Place it on the ground and observe what happens.
e. Record your observations.

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Observations:
1. What happens when you turned the toy bug on?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
2. Will the toy motor run without the batteries? Why?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
3. What energy is formed in the activity?
_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

I learned that ______________________________________

_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Rate this activity:

_____ Easy  _____ Average  _____ Difficult  11

Activity 2-D: Human Machine
Materials: body-elbow, coin
Procedure: Coin Catch
1. Put the elbow of one of your arms in front of
you. The palm of your hand should face your
ear.
2. Place the coin near the tip of your elbow.
Quickly drop the coin. Catch it with the hand
of the same arm before it hits the floor.
3. Do this three times.

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Observations:
1. How where you able to catch the coin? __________________
_________________________________________________
2. What form of energy did you use to catch the coin?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
3. Would you say that our body is like a machine? Why?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

I learned that ______________________________________

_________________________________________________

Rate this activity:

_____ Easy  _____ Average  _____ Difficult  13

 Mel was fascinated by the
wonders of machines.
He is curious where these
machines can be used.
Turn to the next page to help
Mel find out the uses for
these machines.

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Activity 3: What are the Uses of Mechanical Energy?
Match the picture in Column A with the use of mechanical energy in Column B.
Column A Column B

1.
a. The Windmills of Bangui, Ilocos
Norte is used to generate
2. electricity
b. The Maria Cristina Falls in
Mindanao provides mechanical
energy to move turbines.
c. Mechanical energy is used in
3. transportations such as cars, buses, trains
and airplanes.
d. When you walk, hit a ball, or pedal a bicycle, you use
mechanical energy.
4. e. The energy stored in batteries is used to move our
remote controlled toys.

5.

Rate this activity:

_____ Easy  _____ Average  _____ Difficult  15

 Mel woke up in his dream. He
felt happy and contented.
Take the test on the next page
and find out how much you and
Mel have learned.

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Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Which statement below describes what mechanical energy is?
A. Mechanical energy is stored energy.
B. Mechanical energy is used by moving objects.
C. Only machines can produce mechanical energy.
D. Mechanical energy refers to the release of chemical energy
from food or fuel.
2. Which is not a source of mechanical energy?
A. mountains B. moving engines
C. running water D. wind
3. Which of the following objects use mechanical energy?
A. hill B. statue
C. ticking clock D. wall frame
4. What happens when the heart pumps blood, _______________.
A. Mechanical energy is not used. B. Mechanical energy is absent.
C. Mechanical energy is used. D. Mechanical energy is wasted.
5. How is mechanical energy generated in a car? Mechanical energy is
generated through ______________________________.
A. the movement of the piston B. the water found in fossil fuel
C. sunlight absorbed by the car D. the oxidation of fossil fuel
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 Mel learned so much about
mechanical energy.
But he still has a question on his mind.
Help Mel solve the final problem on the
next page.

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 The sun’s energy can be a source of making
objects move. Using the diagram below, explain how
the energy from the sun can produce mechanical
energy.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
____________________________________

Solar Panels Generator

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References:
Rivera, Virnalisi; Balce, Marina; and Galvez, Elvira. 2003. Journey Into the World of
Science. Diwa Scholastic Press Inc.
Coronel, Carmelita; Mingoa, Thelma; Padua, Alicia; Romero, Miliza; Mingoa, Melvin;
and Rabago, Lilia. 2006. Exploring and Protecting Our World. Vibal Publishing House Inc.
Abracia, Norma; Dela Cruz, Estrellita; and Diaz, Estelita. 2000. Science and Health for a
Changing Environment. Vibal Publishing House Inc.
Cruz, Potenciana; Alcodia, Editha; Figuerres, Norma; and De Guia, Filomena. 2000.
Hands-On Science. Rex Book Store Inc.
Villegas, Jessie. 2004. Science and Health. Academe Publishing House, Inc.

Website References:
Hydro Power [http://www.energyquest.ca.gov] “Moving Water-Moving Blades”
Science Project [http://www.scienceproject.com] “Production of Electrical Energy to
Mechanical Energy”
Tesla for Teachers [http://ww.pbs.org] “Converting Electrical Energy to Mechanical
Energy”
The Physics Classroom [http://www.physicsclassroom.com] “Work, Energy and Power”
Wiki Answers [http://wikianswers.com] “Common Uses of Mechanical Energy”

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Activity 1: What Makes Objects Move?
1. WIND
2. WATER
3. FOOD
4. BATTERY

Activity 2: What is Mechanical Energy?

Activity 2-A: Water Power
1. What happened to the turbine when water starts to drip from the cup? The turbine moved.
2. What made the water turbine moved? The turbine moved because of the water dripping from the cup.
3. What energy is formed when the turbine starts to move? Mechanical energy is formed.
I learned that mechanical energy is formed from a moving turbine.
Activity 2-B:The Force of Wind
1. What happened to the rotor of the pinwheel when you switch on the fan? The rotor moved.
2. What made the rotor moved? The wind from the fan cause the pinwheel to turn that made the rotor moved.
3. What energy is formed by the spinning pinwheel? Mechanical energy is formed.
4. What was produced by the windmill? The windmill produced light from the movement of the rotor.
I learned that mechanical energy is formed from a moving windmill.
Activity 2-C: Soda Can Robug
1. What happens when you turned the toy bug on? The toy bug moved.
2. Will the toy motor run without the batteries? Why? No, the toy bug will not move without batteries.
3. What energy is formed in the activity? Mechanical energy is formed.
I learned that mechanical energy is formed by the moving toy bug.
Activity 2-D: Human Machine
1. How where you able to catch the coin? By quickly dropping the coin and catching it with the hand.
2. What form of energy did you use to catch the coin? Mechanical energy is formed.
3. Would you say that our body is like a machine? Why? Yes, our body is like a machine because we are able to do work.
I learned that the human body can form mechanical energy. 21
Activity 3: What are the Enrichment Card
Uses of Mechanical
Energy
1. E The sun’s energy is absorbed by the solar panels which in turn
2. D converts the sun’s energy to electricity produced by the generator.
3. A
A moving generator forms mechanical energy. The electricity from
4. C
5. B the generator is then used to light a bulb.

Thanks my friend
Assessment Card
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. C for helping me
in my
5. A

Score:
5 - Excellent
4 – Very Satisfactory
3 - Satisfactory
adventures.
2 – Good
1 – Fair
0 - Poor

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