Honors Physics Unit 7 Thermal and Mechanical Energy Notes

Vocabulary and core concepts from Unit 7 Honors Physics regarding energy types, equations, and conservation principles.

Thermal Energy

Energy of moving microscopic particles.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds.

Electrical Energy

Energy associated with moving charges.

Electromagnetic Energy

Energy that travels through space in the form of waves.

Nuclear Energy

Energy stored in atomic nuclei which holds the nucleus together.

Energy Conversion

The process of changing energy from one form to another.

Kinetic Energy (KE)

Energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

Kinetic Energy Equation

$$KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$$

Joule ($J$)

The standard unit for measuring energy, including kinetic, elastic potential, and gravitational potential energy.

Elastic Potential Energy (EPE)

Energy possessed by an object due to being stretched or compressed.

Elastic Potential Energy Equation

$$EPE = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$$

Spring Constant ($k$)

A factor that affects the amount of elastic potential energy, measured in units of $N/m$.

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

Energy possessed by an object due to its position or height.

Gravitational Potential Energy Equation

$$GPE = mgh$$

Acceleration due to Gravity on Mars

The specific value used in Reggie's exercise, which is $3.8\,m/s^2$.

Law of Conservation of Energy

The principle stating that energy can change form conceptually and mathematically, but the total energy within a system remains constant.