6th Grade - Energy

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change.

Joule

The SI unit of energy.

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion or movement.

Potential energy

The energy an object has because of its position or shape; also the internal stored energy of an object, such as energy stored in chemical bonds.

Mechanical energy

The kinetic energy + potential energy of an object/substance.

Friction

A force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact.

Law of Conservation of Energy

The law that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but can change form.

Gravitational potential energy

Potential energy based on the height of an object above the planet's surface.

Chemical energy

Potential energy stored in chemical bonds.

Elastic Energy

Potential energy that is stored by stretching or compressing an object.

Nuclear energy

Potential energy stored in the nucleus of an atom and released during fission or fusion.

Electrical energy

A type of kinetic energy formed from the movement of electrons. If the energy is stored, like in a battery, then the energy is potential.

Thermal energy

Kinetic energy associated with the movement of atoms. Heat energy.

Motion energy

Kinetic energy associated with general movement of objects.

Sound energy

Kinetic energy of vibrations (movement) carried by air, water, or other matter.

Energy transformation

A change from one form of energy to another, usually inefficient.

Gravitational potential energy formula

weight * height = gpe

Electromagnetic energy

A form of energy that travels through space as waves. (ex. visible light).