Energy stores and transfers

Energy

A property of an object that is stored or transferred; measured in joules (J)

System

An object or group of objects being studied

Energy store

A way energy is held in an object

Kinetic energy store

Energy stored in a moving object

Gravitational potential energy store

Energy stored when an object is raised above the ground

Chemical energy store

Energy stored in chemical substances, such as food and fuels

Elastic potential energy store

Energy stored when an object is stretched or compressed

Nuclear energy store

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom

Electrostatic energy store

Energy stored between charged objects

Internal (thermal) energy store

Energy stored in the particles of an object

Energy transfer pathway

The way energy moves between energy stores

Mechanical work

Energy transfer when a force acts over a distance

Electrical work

Energy transfer when charge moves through a potential difference

Heating

Energy transfer from a hotter object to a colder object

Waves

Energy transfer through electromagnetic waves, sound waves and other waves

Energy transfer

Happens when a change occurs in a system

Seven energy stores

Kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic potential, nuclear, electrostatic and internal (thermal)

No separate energy stores

Electrical, light and sound are not energy stores; they are associated with energy transfer

Mechanical work

A force acts over a distance

Electrical work

Charge moves through a potential difference

Heating

Energy moves from hotter to colder objects

Waves

Energy is transferred by electromagnetic waves, sound waves and other waves