Forms of Potential Energy, Force Fields, and Energy Conservation

Vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts of gravitational, elastic, static, chemical, and nuclear energy, force fields, conservation of energy, and hydroelectric systems.

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

The energy stored in an object based on its position within a gravitational field, calculated as mass times the acceleration of gravity times height ($mgh$).

Nuclear Force

The force inside an atom's nucleus that binds positively charged protons together into a small space despite their natural electrostatic repulsion.

Elastic Potential Energy

The energy stored in an object when it is stretched or squeezed and is able to bounce back, exemplified by mattress springs, diving boards, rubber bands, and pinball plungers.

Chemical Potential Energy

Potential energy stored within matter and the chemical bonds between atoms, which is released during reactions in substances such as glucose, hydrocarbons, gunpowder, and batteries.

Static Potential Energy

The potential energy resulting from the build-up and separation of electric charges when materials transfer electrons through contact.

Force Field

An invisible region of influence—such as gravitational, electric, or magnetic—that can exert attractive or repulsive forces across a distance without direct contact.

Law of Conservation of Energy

The physical law stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed; the total energy input into a system is always equal to the energy output.

Joule

The standard derived unit of energy, equivalent to $kg \times m^2 / s^2$, obtained from equations for both potential energy ($mgh$) and kinetic energy.

Turbine

A mechanism consisting of propeller blades on a metal drive shaft that spins when struck by the force of water rushing downhill through a dam tunnel.

Generator

A device in a power plant that produces electricity by rotating permanent magnets relative to conductors, such as coiled copper wire.

Perpetual Motion

The impossible concept of a machine sustaining its own movement indefinitely using only its own energy, which cannot occur on Earth because friction continuously removes energy.

Magnetic Potential Energy

The energy stored within a magnetic field that allows magnets to exert attractive or repulsive forces on materials like iron without touching them.

Meandering

The natural process by which a river gradually shifts and changes its physical path or course over time.

Hydrocarbons

Molecules found in fuels like petroleum, natural gas, and coal that store chemical potential energy within their chemical bonds.