What is Energy?
Energy Energy can be defined as the ability to do work and cause change There are multiple forms of energy Kinetic Potential Mechanical Sound Thermal Electric Radiant-light nuclear
Work Part of energy is the ability to do work Work is defined as the transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied over a distance Work depends on both force and distance You only do work on an object if that object moves
Kinetic energy-energy of motion All moving objects have kinetic energy An object’s kinetic energy depends on its speed as well as its mass The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has If 2 objects are moving at the same speed, the object with more mass has more kinetic energy
Potential energy-stored energy Did you know that energy can be present even if objects are not moving Potential energy is stored energy due to the interaction between objects/particles; results from the position/shape of the object 3 types of potential energy: gravitational potential, elastic potential, and chemical potential
Gravitational potential energy is related to an object’s mass and height; the greater the mass or the higher the object is located, the greater the gravitational potential energy Elastic potential energy is stored in objects that are stretched or compressed, such as springs or rubber bands Chemical potential energy is stored in the chemical bonds between atoms and released when chemical reactions occur
Other Forms of energy Mechanical energy is the total energy of an object/group of objects due to large-scale motions and interactions Sound energy is the energy that sound carries Thermal energy is energy due to the motion of particles that make up an object; moves from warmer to cooler objects Electric energy is what an electric current carries
Radiant energy is energy that electromagnetic waves carry; also called light energy Nuclear energy is stored in the nucleus of an atom