1. The Nature of Energy

2. 1. Energy - The ability to cause change
When something is able to change its environment or itself, it has energy.
Examples of energy forms: electrical, chemical, and thermal (sun).

3. 2. Kinetic Energy- Energy in the form of motion
Amount depends upon the mass of the moving object and its velocity 2
Kinetic energy = ½(mass)x(velocity)

4. 3. Joule - SI unit for energy – “J”
Named after 19th Century British scientist James Prescott Joule

5. 4. Potential Energy - Stored energy Motionless objects can have energy
Types of Potential Energy: elastic, chemical, gravitational

6. 5. Elastic Potential Energy -
Energy stored by something that can stretch or compress
Examples: rubber band, spring, hair twisty

7. 6. Chemical Potential Energy -
Energy stored in the chemical bonds between atoms
Examples: natural gas, food stored in your body

8. 7.Gravitational Potential Energy-
Energy stored by objects that are above the Earth’s surface
Anything that can fall has GPE
Dependent upon the mass of the object, the acceleration due to gravity, and the height above the ground
GPE(J) = mass x 9.8m/s2 x height