Energy Vocab

Quiz: 1/21/26 Wednesday

thermal energy

Energy that comes from the vibrations of atoms and molecules in matter

Mechanical (motion) energy

Energy that comes from the movement of an object from place to place

electrical energy

Energy that comes from movement of electrons

electromagnetic (radiant) energy

A form of energy that can move through the vacuum of space., Electromagnetic Spectrum: Radio, Micro, Infrared, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, Gamma Rays. No physical medium is necessary; can travel through vacuum

energy transfer

Movement of energy from one place or object to another

energy transformation

A change from one form of energy to another

law of converservation of energy

The law that states that energy can not be created or destroyed only recycled into a new form of energy

renewable energy source

energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.

Non-renewable energy source

Energy that cannot be replaced once it is used or energy that is not being replaced as fast as it is being used.

potential energy

stored energy that results from the position or shape of an object

kinetic energy

the energy an object has due to its motion

fossil fuels

a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

Geological energy source

energy that comes from natural sources found underground or made from a geological process (i.e. sedimentary rock formation)

Energy forms

The various kinds of energy

source of energy

where energy comes from

gravitational potential energy

Potential energy that depends on the position of an object

chemical energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds

nuclear energy

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom

Elastic Energy

the potential energy of an object that is stretched or compressed

sound energy

energy carried by longitudinal waves, must travel through a medium

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change