Class 12 Botany simulations · Ecosystem

Pyramid of energy (10 per cent law)

Pass energy up the food chain. Only about 10% reaches the next trophic level.

Open the simulation

What to notice

A pyramid of energy is always upright — energy is lost as heat at every step.

Key relation

Energy at level n = E₁ × (efficiency)ⁿ⁻¹

Try this

With 10% efficiency, how much of the producers’ energy reaches the fourth level?

What you can change

• Energy fixed by producers: 1000 to 100000 kJ
• Transfer efficiency: 5 to 20 %
• Trophic levels: 2 to 5

More in Ecosystem

• Decomposition of detritus
• Gross and net primary productivity

See all Class 12 Botany simulations or every Physica simulation.