Physics Energy Concepts

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to energy, heat transfer, and the principles of physics as discussed in the lecture.

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

Energy related to an object's height, calculated as weight x height, measured in joules.

Elastic Potential Energy

Energy stored when something is stretched or compressed, as seen in activities like archery.

Heat Flow

The transfer of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler object.

Conductors

Materials that conduct heat well, such as metals and tile floors.

Insulators

Materials that do not conduct heat well, such as wood, wool, straw, and air.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change, measured in joules.

Power

The rate at which energy or work happens, calculated as energy transferred (work) divided by time.

Kinetic Energy

Energy an object has due to its motion, depending on its mass and velocity, calculated as 0.5 x mass x velocity^2.

Potential Energy

Stored energy due to an object's position or shape, with the potential to do work.

Temperature

A measure of the kinetic energy of individual particles in matter.

Conduction

Heat transfer without movement, requiring direct contact between objects.

Convection

Heat transfer through the movement of currents within a fluid.

Radiation

Heat transfer by electromagnetic waves, which does not require matter.

Absolute zero

The theoretical temperature at which particles do not move at all.