Unit 5 Energy & Heat Transfer

Absolute zero

is the coldest temperature possible, where particles have minimal to no motion and no heat energy left.

Biomass

renewable energy from animals and plants

Chemical energy

energy stored in chemical bonds

Conduction

The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials.

Convection

The transfer of heat by the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).

Elastic potential energy

is the energy stored in an object when it is stretched or compressed.

Electrical energy

is the energy caused by the movement of electric charges, like electrons, through a conductor. It's the energy used to power devices like lights, computers, and appliances.

Energy transformation

the process of changing energy from one form to another.

Fission (nuclear)

the splitting of an atomic nucleus, which releases a large amount of energy.

Fossil fuels

energy sources that come from the remains of ancient plants and animals and took over millions of years to form.

Fusion (nuclear)

the merging of two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy.

Gravitational potential energy

the energy an object has because of its position in a gravitational field.

Kinetic energy

the energy an object has because of its motion.

Law of conservation of energy

states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Mechanical energy

the energy an object has due to its motion or position.

Natural resources

materials or substances found in nature that people can use for economic gain. Examples include water, minerals, forests, and fossil fuels.

Nonrenewable energy

natural resources that cannot be replenished quickly enough to keep up with consumption.

Nuclear energy

energy released during nuclear reactions, like fission or fusion.

Phase change

the process of a substance changing from one state of matter to another, such as from solid to liquid (melting) or liquid to gas (evaporation).

Potential energy

the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. For example, a book on a shelf has potential energy because of its height above the ground.

Radiant energy

The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, without needing a medium. For example, the warmth you feel from the sun.

Radiation

the transfer of energy through space in the form of waves.

Renewable energy

energy that comes from natural sources that are constantly replenished.

Thermal energy

heat energy; the energy that comes from the movement of atoms and molecules in a substance. The faster they move, the more thermal energy the substance has.

Vaporize

to change from a liquid or solid state into a gas.