energy breakdown

energy

• definition: Ability to do work (Joules, J).

• using energy: object/organism performs work (exerting a force over a distance to move an object).

• gaining energy: occurs conversely when work is performed on it.

kinetic energy

associated with movement. its magnitude depends on two factors: velocity and mass. includes: mechanical, electrical, heat, sound and light energy

mechanical (motion) energy

the movement of substances/objects from one location to another

electrical energy

created by electrons moving in one direction through a closed circuit

potential energy

stored energy - related to an object’s position. forms include - gravitational potential energy, chemical energy, elastic potential energy

gravitational potential energy

energy stored due to an objects height and weight

chemical energy

energy stored in the bonds between atoms that hold molecules together

elastic potential energy

energy stored in elastic materials by either stretching or compressing them

energy transfers

energy passes from one object/place to another without changing form

energy transformation

energy changes from one form into one or more different forms

efficiency realities

no real device is 100% efficient (i.e. becomes heat/sound during transfers/transformations). doesn’t break the law of conservation: all input energy is still accounted for.

input vs output

input energy is the energy supplied to a device, while output energy is the energy that comes out

useful vs wasted output energy

useful - output energy put to its intended use. wasted - output energy not used for the intended purpose - commonly heat/sound

high vs low efficiency

low - much of energy’s lost as waste. high - a large proportion of the input energy is converted into useful output.

define efficiency

measures how much energy is successfully converted into the desired form.