Types of Energy!
What is energy? Energy is the ability to do work or cause change
Types of energy: Mechanical Energy = the energy of moving working parts.
Thermal Energy = heat energy. Example: a portable heater gives off thermal energy!
Electrical Energy = the energy from a moving electrical charge. Anything using electricity is using electrical energy!
Electromagnetic Energy = the energy of lightwaves.
The electromagnetic spectrum includes the energy of light, x-rays, microwaves, radio and TV waves!
Electromagnetic energy is NOT the same as an electromagnet! An electromagnet uses electricity to make metal into a strong magnet.
Chemical Energy = energy stored in the matter itself to be used later. Examples: batteries and food are full of Chemical Energy!
Nuclear Energy = energy released from the nucleus of an atom.
Splitting or fusing an atom’s nucleus (fission or fusion) releases huge amounts of energy! Examples: Atomic bombs, the sun!
Kinetic Energy = the energy of motion Mechanical, Electromagnetic, Thermal, Electrical are types of Kinetic energy because they involve motion!
Potential Energy = energy that could be available to release later on. The higher something is, the more potential energy it has!
Chemical and Nuclear energy are types of Potential energy until the energy is released.