Energy Basics

Energy The ability to do work or cause change Either potential or kinetic

Potential Energy Energy that is stored

Kinetic Energy The energy of motion

Forms of Energy Energy can be found in many forms Can be converted from one form or another Conversion can be both man made and natural process Forms include chemical, thermal, elastic, radiant, mechanical and nuclear.

Chemical Energy Stored in chemical bonds holding the atoms of compounds together Food, wood, batteries, fossil fuels

Electrical Energy Energy of moving electrons Invisible but most useful form form When the electrons are separated from positive charges and then forced along a closed path in a conduction material a conduction material ex: copper

Mechanical Energy Most familiar-involved with moving objects; atoms are moving and pushing each other Sound is another example-occurs when atoms in a media vibrate in a direction outward from the sound source.

Radiant or Light Energy Produced when atoms absorb energy from an outside source and release energy as electromagnetic radiation Most are invisible except for visible light UV rays, X-rays, radio waves

Thermal Energy A special form of kinetic energy Energy of moving or vibrating molecules The faster the molecules vibrate the hotter they become

Elastic Energy Energy stored in a solid object when it is either stretched or compressed. A stretched rubber band, compressed spring or jack-in-the- box

Nuclear Energy Energy stored in the nuclei of atoms Released by fission, the splitting of nuclei of heavy atoms Released by fusion-the combining of nuclei of light atoms The sun is an example-fusion fuels it