Potential & Kinetic Energy printable pdf download

Name: ____________________ Teacher: _______________ Pd. ___ Date: ________

TEK 6.8A: Potential & Kinetic Energy

TEK 6.8A: Compare and contrast potential and kinetic energy.

 Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. Unlike matter, energy does not

have mass or take up space. It is visible only through the motion of matter or

other changes to matter that it causes.

 Energy is found in six different forms: mechanical energy, chemical energy, thermal

energy, electrical energy, radiant (or electromagnetic) energy, and nuclear energy:

 Mechanical energy is the energy of motion of large objects (masses of

particles moving in unison), or the energy stored in large objects because of

their position or condition, such as compression or tension. A moving car,

ocean wave, compressed spring, stretched rubber band and sound are all

examples of mechanical energy.

 Chemical energy is the energy stored in the bonds between atoms, such as

ionic or covalent bonds. The food we eat has chemical energy stored in it,

which is transformed into thermal or mechanical energy by our body’s

digestive process.

 Thermal energy is the energy of vibrational motion in atoms and molecules.

The greater the rate of vibration, the greater the thermal energy, measured

as temperature, the particles have. Any atom or molecule above absolute

zero (-273°C) has thermal energy.

 Electrical energy is the energy found in charged particles. If the charges are

not moving, we call it static electricity. If the particles (usually electrons) are

moving, it is an electrical current.

 Radiant or electromagnetic energy is the only form of energy that does not

need matter to be transmitted. Radio waves and light are types of radiant

energy.

 Nuclear energy is the energy stored in the nucleus of atoms.

 All of the above energy forms can be classified into two broad categories: kinetic

and potential energy. Some energy forms can be either kinetic or potential,

depending on their motion, while others by their nature can only be in one

category.

 Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.

 When the motion is in a larger object, we say that the motion is evidence of

mechanical kinetic energy. A moving car has kinetic energy. Waves (a

rhythmic disturbance that transmits energy) moving through air (sound), rocks

Potential & Kinetic Energy