1. What do you think? Look at the pictures on the left.
What are 3 things you notice about the pictures?
What are 2 ways that you think they
relate to science?
When you look at the pictures to your
left, what do you think they have in
common?

2. Mechanical Energy Electrical Energy Thermal Energy Radiant Energy
Common Forms of Energy
Energy can come in many forms. Some common forms of energy are:
Mechanical Energy
Thermal Energy
Chemical Energy
Electrical Energy
Radiant Energy
Nuclear Energy

3. Mechanical Energy
the total energy of motion and position of an object.
Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy are kinds of mechanical energy.
M.E. = Potential Energy + Kinetic Energy
can consists of Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, or both
Mechanical Energy of an object remains the same unless it transfers some of its energy to another object.
Sound is a form of mechanical energy.

4. Thermal Energy
all of the kinetic energy due to random motion of the particles that make up an object.
Particles move faster at higher temperatures.
The faster the particles move, the greater their kinetic energy and the greater the object’s thermal energy.
depends on the number of particles.
The more particles, the more thermal energy in the object.

5. Chemical Energy
the energy of a compound that changes as its atoms are rearranged.
a form of potential energy because it depends on the position and rearrangement of the atoms in a compound.
Examples
the energy in food
In the process of photosynthesis, radiant energy from the sun is converted into Chemical Energy.

6. Electrical Energy the energy of moving electrons.
Electrons are the negatively charged particles in atoms.
examples: Lightning … a lamp plugged into a wall outlet.

7. Radiant Energy the energy of electromagnetic waves.
electromagnetic wave: a wave that can travel through empty space or matter, and consists of changing electric and magnetic fields.
examples = Microwaves … visible light … solar energy

8. Nuclear Energy
comes from changes in the nucleus of an atom.
Nuclear Fusion: occurs when two or more small nuclei join together. Gives the sun its energy.
Nuclear Fission: occurs when a larger nucleus is split into 2 or more smaller nuclei. Generates energy at nuclear power plants.