types of energy

what is meant by the term ‘energy’

energy is the ability to ‘do work or cause a change’

what is the unit for energy

joules (J) or kilojoules (kj)

wnat are the two main types of energy

potential and kinetic

what are the different forms of energy

• heat (thermal)

• light

• nuclear

• kinetic

• gravitational potential

• chemical potential

• sound

• electrical

what is nuclear energy

energy stored in the nucleus of atoms which is only realeased from nuclear reactions.

what are the two types of nuclear energy

the sun and all of the stars (fusion)

nuclear power plants and the atomic bomb (fission)

what is sound energy

a type of kinetic energy.

anything noisy gives off sound energy like vocal chords, speakers, musical instruments, etc

what is light energy

light energy is a form of kinetic energy that is visible to the eye. anything luminous gives off light energy, like the sun, light bulbs, candles and glow worms

what is electrical energy

energy caused by the movement of charges. it is easily transported through power lines and converted into other useful forms of energy

what is heat energy

the heat energy of an object determines how active its atoms are.

temperature is a measure of an average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

hot object = atoms and molecules are excited and show rapid movement

cooler object = atoms will show less movement

what is chemical potential energy

this is potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of an object

what is elastic potential energy

potential energy (stored energy) due to compression or expansion of an elastic object. i.e. a stretched or squashed object.

what is gravitational potential energy

potential (stored) energy due to an objects position (up high).

what is kinetic energy

energy an object has due to its motion. e.g. feather falling, runner, train moving, ball rolling, theme park ride, etc

what is the difference between potential and kinetic energy

potential energy is stored energy - energy an object has because of its position or condition. e.g. a stretched rubber band or a book on a shelf.

kinetic energy is moving energy - energy an object has because it is in motion. e.g. a rolling ball or running person

what are the three different forms of potential energy

1. gravitational - stored because of an object height above the ground

2. elastic - stored when something is stretched or compressed

3. chemical - stored in chemical bonds

provide an example of each form of energy

1. thermal (heat) - boiling water

2. gravitational - book on a shelf

3. elastic - stretched rubber band

4. chemical - petrol in a car

5. kinetic - a rolling soccer ball

6. light - sunlight

7. nuclear - sun producing energy

8. sound - a ringing bell

9. electrical - a phone charging