Energy
Energy is the ability to do work. It can neither be created nor destroyed.
Kinetic energy: Energy produced by a moving object.
Potential energy: The energy stored in an object due to its position or state, which has the potential to be transformed into kinetic energy when released.
Thermal/heat energy: The energy generated from the motion of particles within an object, which increases as the temperature rises, often resulting in the transfer of heat.
Radiant energy: Form of electromagnetic energy. Contains forms of visible wavelengths (light).
Light energy: Form of electromagnetic energy of a wavelength. Formed through the movement of photons (tiny packets of energy). The hotter the object, the more photons produced.
Chemical energy: Stored in bonds that connect atoms with other atoms and molecules with other molecules. Because it is stored, it is a form of potential energy. When a chemical reaction takes place, it is released and becomes a form of kinetic energy. It helps in keeping you warm.
Nuclear energy: Comes from the nucleus of an atom. It is released by nuclear fission. It is released in the form of heat or radiation.
Electrical energy: Caused by the movement of electrons.
Gravitational energy: The potential energy stored in an object due to its position above the ground. It increases as the object move further away from the centre of the Earth.
Mechanical energy: The sum of potential energy and kinetic energy in an object, often associated with the motion and position of that object.
Energy Transfer
Conduction:
Conduction occurs when the particles in one part of an object vibrate more than the other and these vibrations are passes from particles throughout the object. Conduction always takes place in solid materials.
Convection:
Convection is the spread of energy through liquids and gases.
Radiation:
Radiation is the transfer of heat energy through invisible waves. It does not require physical contact, unlike conduction and convection.
Vocabulary
Insulator: Any material or object that doesn’t allow energy to pass through it.
Conductor: Any material or object that allow energy to pass through it.
Reflect: When a surface or body throws back heat, light or sound without absorbing it.
Absorb: Take in energy by chemical or physical reaction.
Energy Transformation
When one form of energy is changed or converted to another form, it is called energy transformation. For example, toasters change electricity into heat and light energy, and solar panels convert heat energy into electrical energy.
Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form to another. For example, when a ball is stationary, it possesses potential energy. When it is dropped, the potential energy is released and turned into kinetic energy.