Energy
The ability to do work or to cause a change
The Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transformed.
Energy Chains/Transformations
A visual list of what form of energy was originally present and all the forms of energy it was transformed into
Example of energy chain
Plugging a lamp into a wall (Electrical to radiant)
Potential energy
Stored energy within an object or associated with its position
Kinetic energy
energy of motion
Mechanical energy (p+k)
The total energy of motion and the position of an object (Also includes sound energy)
Example of mechanical energy
A car
Radiant energy (K)
Also known as light energy- is produced by the vibrations of electrically charged particles
Example of radiant energy
A microwave
Chemical energy (P)
The energy of a compound that changes as its atoms are rearranged
Example of chemical energy
Food (clues are batteries, fire, chemical reaction)
Electrical energy (K)
The energy of moving electrons
Example of electrical energy
A lightbulb (clues are wires or outlet)
Nuclear energy (P+K)
The energy that comes from changes in the nucleus of an atom
Example of nuclear energy
Nuclear fusion in sun, Nuclear power plants use fission
Thermal energy (K)
Total energy of moving molecules - affected by the speed and number of molecules
Example of thermal energy
Ice cream melting on a hot day, hot springs, campfire, or cup of hot tea, water boiling