Energy Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to energy, including its definitions, types, and laws.

What is energy?

Energy is needed to make any change happen.

Examples of energy applications

Examples include a ball flying through the air, a house being heated, a body moving, and breaking a window.

Units of energy

Units for energy include joules and calories.

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be changed from one form to another.

Mechanical Energy

Energy that is the sum of potential and kinetic energy in a system.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion, including energy types such as electrical and thermal.

Electrical Energy

Energy associated with the motion of electrons through a conductor.

Thermal Energy

Energy of molecules moving, created when molecules/atoms move against each other.

Potential Energy

Energy of possibility, including types like elastic, chemical, and gravitational potential energy.

Elastic Potential Energy

Energy stored by things that stretch or compress, such as rubber bands and springs.

Chemical Potential Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds; released when the bonds are broken.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy stored in objects lifted above the Earth's surface; increases with height.

Radiant Energy

Electromagnetic energy that travels as waves, also known as the electromagnetic spectrum.

Nuclear Energy

Energy stored in the nucleus of atoms; released during nuclear reactions.

Units for energy

Includes joules, calories, kilocalories, BTU, etc.

Types of Kinetic Energy

Includes thermal and electrical energy.

Types of Potential Energy

Includes gravitational, elastic, and chemical potential energy.