1-9 Energy Notes

Energy- the ability to do work or cause change

Potential Energy- stored energy
Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) - Energy based on height and mass.
Higher & heavier the object, the more GPE
Kinetic Energy - energy of motion
- Depends on mass & speed
Joule - SI unit for energy
System- group of interacting or interrelated entities that form a unified whole
Law of Conservation of Energy- Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only
changed or transferred.
Types of Energy

★ Nuclear (P)
○ Stored in the nuclei (inner core) of atoms
○ Released by fission (atoms splitting)
○ Released by fusion (atoms coming together)
○ Ex: Sun’s energy, medical field (PET), nuclear weapons, nuclear power
plant
★ Chemical (P)
○ Stored in chemical bonds holding atoms together.
○ Bonds must be broken to release energy
○ Ex: Food, wood, batteries, fossil fuels, glowstick
Types of Energy

★ Elastic (P)
○ When an object is compressed & stretched, or generally deformed in
any manner
○ Ex: Rubber band, spring, slingshot, trampoline
Types of Energy con’t

★ Mechanical ( K & P)
○ An object’s ability to do work
○ The sum of an object’s K & P = object’s total Mechanical energy
○ Ex: Windmill, bow & arrow drawn, moving car
★ Electrical (K)
○ Energy of moving electrons
○ Invisible
○ Ex: Powerlines, lightning, static shock
Types of Energy con’t

★ Thermal ( P & K )
○ Energy of moving/vibrating molecules
○ The faster they move, the hotter they become
○ Result of heat being produced
○ Every energy transformation releases a small amount of heat
★ Electromagnetic/Radiant (K)
○ Energy that travels in waves, has electrical & magnetic properties
○ Most forms invisible, except for visible light
○ Ex: Light, magnetism, X-rays, radio waves, microwaves, UV &
infrared radiation
Types of Energy con’t

★ Sound (K)
○ Energy produced from molecules vibrating through matter (air/water)
○ Depending on the movement of the molecules, sounds can be high,
low, loud, soft.
○ Ex: Anything you hear