energy stores

Energy store

Description

Examples

Magnetic

The energy stored when repelling poles have been pushed closer together or when attracting poles have been pulled further apart.

Fridge magnets, compasses, maglev trains which use magnetic levitation.

Internal (thermal)

The total kinetic and potential energy of the particles in an object, in most cases this is the vibrations - also known as the kinetic energy - of particles. In hotter objects, the particles have more internal energy and vibrate faster.

Human bodies, hot coffees, stoves or hobs. Ice particles vibrate slower, but still have energy.

Chemical

The energy stored in chemical bonds, such as those between molecules.

Foods, muscles, electrical cells.

Kinetic

The energy of a moving object.

Runners, buses, comets.

Electrostatic

The energy stored when repelling charges have been moved closer together or when attracting charges have been pulled further apart.

Thunderclouds, Van De Graaff generators.

Elastic potential

The energy stored when an object is stretched or squashed.

Drawn catapults, compressed springs, inflated balloons.

Gravitational potential

The energy of an object at height.

Aeroplanes, kites, mugs on a table.

Nuclear

The energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.