To solve problems about how energy changes in electric circuits, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Know the Types of Energy:

   • Electrical energy: This is the energy that comes from the power source.
   • Thermal energy: This comes from parts of the circuit that resist or slow down the flow of electricity.

2. Understand Energy Conservation:

   • The total energy you get equals the energy you use. You can think of it like this:
   • Energy in = Energy out

3. Use the Right Formulas:

   • To find electric power, you can use the formula:
     Power (P) = Current (I) × Voltage (V)
     (Power is measured in watts. Current is how much electricity is flowing, measured in amperes, and voltage is the push of the electricity, measured in volts.)
   • To find energy, use this formula:
     Energy (E) = Power (P) × Time (t)
     (Energy is measured in joules, and time is measured in seconds.)

4. Do Some Calculations:

   • Let’s say you have a 10-ohm resistor and a current of 2 A running for 5 seconds:
   • First, find the power:
     P = I² × R = 2² × 10 = 40 watts
   • Then find the energy:
     E = 40 watts × 5 seconds = 200 joules

By following these steps, you can easily figure out how energy changes in electric circuits!