My Energy Dictionary

We use dictionaries to help us clarify the meaning of different words.

You are going to create your own Energy Dictionary to keep with you You are going to create your own Energy Dictionary to keep with you. This will come in very handy during the next 5 weeks! You will need to keep this dictionary to add words to it and hand in for a grade

You will need four pieces of notebook paper. FIRST Choose a color of construction paper. You will only get half of a sheet. SECOND You will need four pieces of notebook paper.

THIRD Fold your papers vertically (hot dog) and horizontally (hamburger) to create 4 boxes.

Fourth In each box (front and back) you will write the definition of a word related to energy. For each square you will… Write the word Write the definition Draw a picture Note if it’s renewable or nonrenewable *There are 21 words. 

ENERGY The ability to do work.

Renewable Renewable - sources that can be replenished in a short period of time. Solar, Wind, Hydropower, Geothermal, Biomass

Petroleum (Oil), Coal, Natural Gas, Uranium (nuclear), & Propane Nonrenewable Nonrenewable - come out of the ground as  liquids, gases and solids and cannot be replenished in a short period of time Petroleum (Oil), Coal, Natural Gas, Uranium (nuclear), & Propane

Motion Energy Motion energy - The energy of an object or substance in movement; sometimes just called kinetic energy Example: Person dancing, car in motion, a thrown ball, flowing water.

Gravitational Energy Gravitational energy - Energy an object has due to place or position, such as its height above the Earth; a form of potential energy Example: Rock on the edge of a cliff, water behind a dam.

Electric Energy Electric energy - The energy of electrons moving or flowing within a substance Example: Power lines or home wiring, electricity from a battery

Light Energy Light energy - Electromagnetic energy that travels in waves; also called radiant energy Example: Sunlight, the light of a lamp or of a TV, or computer monitor

Heat Energy Heat energy - The internal energy of a substance due to random vibration and movement of its atoms and molecules; also called thermal energy. Example: Heat form the burner of a stove, charcoal grill, forest fire.

Sound Energy Sound energy - Energy that moves through substances by compression waves; sound Example: Any kind of sound from humans, machines, animals, Ipods

Chemical Energy Chemical energy - Energy stored in the chemical bonds between atoms and molecules Example: Energy plants store by photosynthesis, any food we eat, coal, oil

Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy - Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom; the energy that holds an atom together; sometimes called atomic energy Example: Uranium in a nuclear power plant and plutonium in a bomb.

PETROLEUM Oil or crude oil; a liquid fossil fuel formed from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals Nonrenewable

Make sure you are drawing the pictures! COAL Coal is a readily combustible black or brownish-black fossil fuel sedimentary rock that is used for generating electricity. Make sure you are drawing the pictures! Nonrenewable

NATURAL GAS Natural gas is a colorless, odorless mixture of gases that formed from the fossil remains of ancient plants and animals buried deep in the earth (fossil fuel). Main ingredient = Methane. Gas stove Nonrenewable

URANIUM Uranium is a radioactive, metal found in rocks all over the world. Used to make nuclear energy. (During nuclear fission, a small particle called a neutron hits the uranium atom and splits it, releasing a great amount of energy as heat and radiation) Nonrenewable

PROPANE Propane is an energy-rich gas that is found mixed with natural gas and oil Nonrenewable

SOLAR Solar energy is energy from the sun’s rays (solar radiation) that reach the earth. Renewable

WIND The circulation of air caused by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface; air in motion Renewable

HYDROPOWER Hydropower is energy from the force of moving water caused by gravity. Sources include the ocean, rivers, and waterfalls. Renewable

GEOTHERMAL Geothermal energy is heat from within the earth. Geo = earth and thermal = heat. Renewable

BIOMASS or BIOENERGY Biomass energy is energy made by burning biomass - organic material made from plants and animal waste. Biomass contains stored energy from the sun. Renewable

LAST STEPS Cut out each square carefully and put them together inside the construction paper. Staple the folded side and step back to admire your beautiful Energy Dictionary.