Energy Stores, Systems, and Work Done

Vocabulary flashcards covering the conservation of energy, various energy stores, open and closed systems, and forms of work done.

Thermal (or Internal) Energy

The heat energy trapped within an object that is related to the temperature of that object.

Kinetic Energy

The energy store associated with the movement or motion of an object.

Gravitational Potential Energy

The energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field.

Elastic Potential Energy

The energy stored in an object when it is stretched, such as the energy held in a stretched spring.

Chemical Energy

The energy store held within chemical bonds.

Magnetic Energy

The energy store involved in magnetic attraction, such as what holds magnets to a fridge.

Electrostatic Energy

The energy store that occasionally results in a shock when touching an object, such as a car.

Nuclear Energy

The energy obtained from breaking atoms apart.

System

A collection of matter consisting of a particular object or group of objects.

Open System

A system whose matter can exchange energy with the outside world, allowing it to lose or gain energy.

Closed System

A system separated from the outside world where neither matter nor energy can enter or leave, meaning the overall energy change is always zero.

Work Done

Another way of describing energy that is transferred.

Mechanical Work Done

Energy transfer that involves using a force to move an object, such as kicking a ball.

Electrical Work Done

Energy transfer that occurs when current flows, requiring energy to overcome resistance in the wires of a circuit.