Technology needs energy — Technology, 4–6 years
Children notice that some devices work with batteries and others need to be plugged in. They learn that energy lets a device do its job.
What energy does
A tablet, lamp or toy cannot work by itself: it needs energy. A battery stores some energy, while a plug brings energy from the wall. When the energy is gone, the device stops until it gets more.
Why we look for a power source
People wanted light, sound and movement without doing every part by hand. They learned to give devices energy so they could keep working for us. That is why we check for a battery, a charger or a plug when something is silent.
A torch with two batteries
A torch has space for two batteries, but one battery is missing. First, the torch gets only part of the energy it needs. Next, we put in the second battery, matching the plus and minus marks. The light now comes on.
A new battery is not always the answer
It is easy to think a device is broken when it does nothing, so we reach for a new battery. But the battery may be facing the wrong way, or the device may need charging instead. Checking the symbols and the power source is a useful first step.
Energy in everyday devices
A remote control uses small batteries, a bicycle lamp may use a rechargeable battery, and a fridge uses electricity from a socket. We can often guess the energy source by looking for a battery door, a cable or a charger. These clues help us use the device properly.
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