Chapter 9 Study Guide

Fission

This is when atoms split and give off energy.

Joules

Work, like energy, is expressed in

Fossil Fuels

a nonrenewable: coal, natural gas, and petroleum.

Photosythesis

Plants use light energy to make new substances that have chemical energy.

gasoline

They are used to make kerosene, wax, and plastic.

Biomass

Organic matter such as plants, wood and waste that can burned to release thermal energy.

Electrical Generators

Convert the chemical energy in fossil fuels into electrical energy.

Renewable Resource

a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed.

Energy conversions

are more efficient when they use less energy.

Energy

The ability to do work

Kinetic Energy

The energy of an object that is due to the objects motion

Potential Energy

The energy that an object has because of the position, shape, or condition of the object

Gravitational Potential Energy

When you lift an object, you do work on it

Mechanical Energy

The amount of work an object can do because of the objects kinetic and potential energies

Thermal Energy

The kinetic energy due to the random motion of the particles that make up an object

Chemical Energy

This is a form of potential energy

Step 1 to energy conversion

Starting with coal which is a chemical & potential then burn it, Thermal which is (kinetic)

Step 2 to energy conversion

Burn water to create steam which is forced thru pipes in turbines making it spin and thats mechanical

Step 3 to energy conversion

Then go to the electricity

Step 4 to energy conversion

Then turn on the light (electrical) or blow dryer (thermal, mechanical, and sound)

Nuclear Energy

Energy that comes from changes in the nucleus of an atom

Fission

This is when atoms split and give off energy

Electrical Energy

The energy of moving electrons

Sound Energy

Vibrating objects transmit energy through the air around them

Light Energy / Radiant Energy

Energy produced by the vibrations of electrically charged particles

Energy Conversion

A change from one form of energy to another

Law of Conservation of Energy

states that energy cannot be created or destroyed (energy is never lost) but can be changed from one form to another (just changes forms)

Nonrenewable Resource

Is a natural resource that cannot be reused or replaced

Electrical Generators

Convert the chemical energy in fossil fuels into electrical energy

Renewable Resource

a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed

Solar Energy

sunlight is changed into electrical energy through solar cells

Hydroelectric Energy

falling water from a dam turns a turbine which is connected to an electric generator

Wind Energy

The kinetic energy of the wind turns blades of a windmill which turns an electric generator

Geothermal Energy

Thermal energy caused by the heating of Earths crust

Biomass

Organic matter such as plants, wood and waste that can burned to release thermal energy