Properties of Energy

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the properties and concepts of energy as outlined in the lecture notes.

energy

The capacity to do work or cause change in a system.

system

Anything that is under observation in a specific context.

surroundings

Everything that is not part of the system, encompassing everything else in the universe.

kinetic energy

The energy of motion; anything that is moving has kinetic energy.

potential energy

The stored energy of an object as a result of its condition or position.

law of conservation of energy

A principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed or transferred.

perpetual motion machine

A hypothetical machine that can operate indefinitely without an external energy source.

transfer of energy

The process where energy moves from one system to another.

transformation of energy

The process where energy changes from one form to another.

thermal energy

The energy of the random motion of particles in a substance.

radiant energy

The energy of electromagnetic waves that travel from an energy source.

sound energy

The energy of vibrations or disturbances of the particles that make up matter.

gravitational potential energy

Potential energy that depends on the height of an object relative to a reference point, such as the ground.

mechanical kinetic energy

The energy of motion of objects larger than atoms and molecules.

chemical potential energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds that can be released during a chemical reaction.

elastic potential energy

Stored energy in an object when it is stretched or compressed.