Introduction To Energy (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

Introduction to Energy

What is Energy?

ENERGY TRANSFORMATIONS

Energy makes change; it does things for us. It moves cars along the

road and boats over the water. It bakes a cake in the oven and keeps

POTENTIAL

ice frozen in the freezer. It plays our favorite songs on the radio and

lights our homes. Energy makes our bodies grow and allows our

Stored energy and the energy of position (gravitational).

minds to think. Scientists define energy as the ability to do work.

Forms of Energy

CHEMICAL ENERGY is the energy stored in the bonds of atoms and

molecules. Biomass, petroleum, natural gas, propane and coal are

Energy is found in different forms, such as light, heat, sound, and

examples.

motion. There are many forms of energy, but they can all be put into

two categories: kinetic and potential.

NUCLEAR ENERGY is the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom – the

energy that holds the nucleus together. The nucleus of a uranium atom

Kinetic Energy

is an example.

STORED MECHANICAL ENERGY is energy stored in objects by the

Kinetic energy is motion; it is the motion of waves, electrons, atoms,

application of force. Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands

molecules, substances, and objects.

are examples.

Electrical Energy

is the movement of electrons. Everything is made

GRAVITATIONAL ENERGY is the energy of place or position. Water in a

of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms are made of even smaller

reservoir behind a hydropower dam is an example.

particles called electrons, protons, and neutrons. Applying a force

can make some of the electrons move. Electrons moving through

a wire is called circuit electricity. Lightning is another example of

KINETIC

electrical energy.

Motion: the motion of waves, electrons, atoms,

Radiant Energy

is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse

molecules and substances.

waves. Radiant energy includes visible light, x-rays, gamma rays, and

radio waves. Light is one type of radiant energy. Solar energy is an

example of radiant energy.

RADIANT ENERGY is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse

Thermal Energy,

or heat, is the internal energy in substances; it is

waves. Solar energy is an example.

the vibration and movement of the atoms and molecules within

THERMAL ENERGY or heat is the internal energy in substances – the

substances. The more thermal energy in a substance, the faster the

vibration or movement of atoms and molecules in substances. Geo-

atoms and molecules vibrate and move. Geothermal energy is an

thermal is an example.

example of thermal energy.

MOTION is the movement of a substance from one placed to another.

Sound

is the movement of energy through substances in longitudinal

Wind and hydropower are examples.

(compression/rarefaction) waves. Sound is produced when a force

SOUND is the movement of energy through substances in longitudinal

causes an object or substance to vibrate; the energy is transferred

waves.

through the substance in a longitudinal wave.

ELECTRICAL ENERGY is the movement of electrons. Lightning and

Motion

is the movement of objects and substances from one place

electricity are examples.

to another. Objects and substances move when a force is applied

according to Newton’s Laws of Motion. Wind is an example of motion

energy.

Potential Energy

Chemical

Motion

Chemical

Motion

Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position, or

gravitational energy. There are several forms of potential energy.

Chemical Energy

is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and

molecules. It is the energy that holds these particles together.

Radiant

Chemical

Electrical

Thermal

Biomass, petroleum, natural gas, and propane are examples of

stored chemical energy.

Intermediate Energy Infobook

Introduction To Energy Page 2

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