Educational worksheet identifying potential and kinetic energy in everyday objects and situations.

Let’s go step by step through each question. Remember:

- Potential energy = stored energy, waiting to be used (like a battery not connected, or something still).
- Kinetic energy = energy of motion — when something is working or moving.

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1. Light switch:

- When the light switch is off, no electricity is flowing → energy is stored but not being used → potential energy.
- When the light switch is on, electricity flows and the light works → energy is being used → kinetic energy.

✔ So:
> When the light switch is off, it is potential energy.
> When the light switch is on, it is kinetic energy.

*(Note: Technically, “on” means electrical energy is converting to light/heat — which is kinetic in this context for kids’ science.)*

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2. Toaster switch:

Same idea!

- If the toaster switch is on → toaster is heating up → working → kinetic energy.
- If the toaster switch is off → not doing anything → energy is just sitting there → potential energy.

✔ So:
> If the toaster switch is on, it is kinetic energy.
> If the toaster switch is off, it is potential energy.

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3. Roller coaster:

- If the roller coaster is still (not moving) → especially at the top of a hill → has stored energy due to height → potential energy.
- If it is moving → going down the track → kinetic energy.

✔ So:
> If the roller coaster is still, it is potential energy.
> If it is moving, it is kinetic energy.

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4. Yo-yo:

- If the yo-yo is still (held in hand or resting) → not moving → potential energy.
- If the yo-yo is moving (dropping or spinning) → kinetic energy.

✔ So:
> If the yo-yo is still, it is potential energy.
> If the yo-yo is moving, it is kinetic energy.

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5. Light bulb:

This one is tricky — think about what’s happening inside.

- If the light is on → electricity is flowing, producing light and heat → energy is being used → kinetic energy.
- If the light is off → no current flowing → energy is stored in the wires/battery but not active → potential energy.

✔ So:
> If the light is on, it is kinetic energy.
> If the light is off, it is potential energy.

*(Again, for elementary level, we treat “working” devices as using kinetic energy.)*

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Final Answer:

When the light switch is off, it is potential energy.
When the light switch is on, it is kinetic energy.

If the toaster switch is on, it is kinetic energy.
If the toaster switch is off, it is potential energy.

If the roller coaster is still, it is potential energy.
If it is moving, it is kinetic energy.

If the yo-yo is still, it is potential energy.
If the yo-yo is moving, it is kinetic energy.

If the light is on, it is kinetic energy.
If the light is off, it is potential energy.