Page 1 3.1 Energy

Vocabulary flashcards covering the classes and forms of energy, concentration gradients, and electron energy states from Chapter 3 Section 3.1.

Energy

The capacity to do work, which differs from matter in that it has no mass and does not take up space.

Potential energy

The energy of position or stored energy that has the ability to do work once converted to kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion.

Concentration gradient

A difference in the amount of a substance in two areas, such as across the plasma membrane of a cell.

Plasma membrane

The boundary between the inside and outside of a cell.

Sodium ion ($\text{Na}^+$) concentration gradient

An example of potential energy in cells where the concentration of $\text{Na}^+$ is typically greater outside the cell than inside.

Movement of $\text{Na}^+$ across the plasma membrane

The movement of $\text{Na}^+$ from an area of high concentration outside the cell to a low concentration inside, serving as an example of kinetic energy.

Electron shell potential energy

The energy possessed by electrons based on their position in electron shells relative to an atom's nucleus, where electrons in higher-energy shells have potential energy.

Electron movement kinetic energy

The movement of electrons from a higher-energy shell to a lower-energy shell, releasing kinetic energy that can be harnessed to do work, such as synthesizing ATP.

Chemical energy

One form of potential energy stored within chemical structures.