Energy Test Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts of potential and kinetic energy, energy transformations, forms of energy, heat transfer mechanisms, and nuclear reactions from the Energy Test Study Guide.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change.

Potential Energy

Stored energy in an object or person that depends on an object's position or shape, as well as its mass.

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

The energy an object possesses due to its position above Earth's surface; it increases as an object is higher and is calculated as $\text{GPE} = \text{weight} \times \text{height}$.

Elastic Potential Energy

Energy stored in objects that can be stretched or compressed; the more an object is stretched or compressed, the greater this energy becomes.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion; anything moving has it, and it depends on the object's mass and velocity (speed).

Energy Transformation

The process that occurs when energy transfers from one form to another.

Law of Conservation of Energy

The principle stating that energy can be transformed many times from one form to another, but it is never destroyed.

Radiant Energy

A form of energy consisting of light energy or electromagnetic waves.

Thermal Energy

Heat energy.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds, such as in batteries, food (glucose), or firecrackers.

Electrical Energy

Energy produced by the movement of electrons.

Mechanical Energy

The energy of motion and position, often associated with machines or moving objects such as a hammer striking a nail.

Heat Transfer

The movement of heat energy from one place to another, which spontaneously transfers from hot (warmer) regions to cold (cooler) regions.

Conduction

Heat transfer between materials through direct contact, in which heat moves from one molecule to another via touching.

Convection

Heat transfer through the movement of liquids or gases, where warm fluid rises and cool fluid sinks to create a circular motion.

Radiation

Heat transfer occurring via electromagnetic waves traveling through space, requiring neither direct contact nor a physical medium.

Nuclear Energy

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom that can be released through nuclear reactions.

Fission

A type of nuclear reaction that occurs when a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.

Fusion

A type of nuclear reaction that occurs when two small nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy (the source of the Sun's energy).