Energy and Energy Transformations Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic energy definitions, the ten forms of energy, classifications of potential and kinetic energy, and units of measurement.

Work

The transforming or conversion of energy from one form into another form, such as a generator converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Energy

The ability to do work or transform the energy an object contains into another form.

Light energy

Electromagnetic energy that travels in waves, including examples such as x-rays and gamma rays.

Heat (Thermal) energy

The internal energy of a substance produced by the movement of atoms or molecules of a substance.

Sound energy

The movement of energy through a substance in compression waves.

Magnetic energy

The energy within a magnetic field that results in various metals attracting or repelling each other.

Nuclear energy

The energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Electric energy

The energy produced by the movement of electrons.

Elastic energy

Energy stored in an object by the application of force to compress or stretch the object.

Mechanical energy

Energy referring to the motion of an object or a substance.

Chemical energy

Energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.

Gravitational energy

The energy of an object raised above the ground.

Potential energy

Energy that can be stored in an object, including chemical, nuclear, elastic, gravitational, and magnetic forms.

Kinetic energy

The energy of an object in motion, including light, thermal, sound, mechanical, and electrical forms.

Law of Conservation of Energy

A law stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another, with the starting amount of energy equal to the ending amount.

Joule (J)

A unit in the international system of units defined as the work required to exert a force of $1\,\text{newton}$ for a distance of $1\,\text{meter}$.

Calorie

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of $1\,g$ of water by $1\,^{\circ} C$; it is approximately equal to $42\,\text{Joules}$.