10 Main Types of Energy (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the 10 main energy types from Physics Notes.

Mechanical Energy

The energy of motion and position of macroscopic objects; the sum of kinetic energy ( KE ) and potential energy ( PE ).

Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy stored due to an object's height in a gravitational field; increases with height (PE = mgh).

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds; released when bonds form and required to break bonds; example: candle burning.

Magnetic Energy

Energy stored in magnetic fields arising from attraction and repulsion between magnetic objects.

Nuclear/Atomic Energy

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom; released during fission or fusion.

Sound Energy

Energy carried by sound waves produced by vibrating particles in a medium.

Electrical Energy

Energy related to moving electrons in a circuit or stored in electric fields (e.g., in capacitors).

Thermal/Heat Energy

Energy from the random motion of particles in a substance; higher temperatures mean faster particle motion.

Light Energy

Energy carried by electromagnetic waves (visible light) traveling through space.

Elastic Energy

Potential energy stored when a material is stretched or compressed; it tends to return to its original shape.