Forms of Energy
What is energy?
Energy is the ability to "cause change".
Energy is everywhere!
Everything that takes place in the universe involves energy.
States of energy
Energy exists in different forms, but they are all grouped into two main "states": potential and kinetic.
Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position.
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion — of waves, electrons, atoms, molecules, substances, and objects.
States of energy
Potential energy can be thought of as motion waiting to happen.
You have probably had someone tell you that you have "so much potential".
Kinetic energy can be thought of as energy at work.
Forms of energy
Potential | Kinetic |
Chemical | Electrical |
Nuclear | Thermal |
Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Electromagnetic |
| Sound |
Forms of Potential Energy...
Chemical energy (potential)
Chemical Energy is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.
Batteries, food, oil, and energy drinks are all examples of stored chemical energy.
This energy can be released or added during chemical changes (breaking and forming of chemical bonds).
Chemical energy (potential)
Nuclear energy (potential)
Nuclear energy is stored in the nucleus of an atom — the energy that holds the nucleus together.
Very large amounts of energy can be released when the nuclei are combined (fusion) or split apart (fission).
Example of fission: Nuclear power plants
Example of fusion: Stars
Nuclear energy (potential)
Mechanical energy
Mechanical energy is the total energy of an object due to its motion and its position.
Mechanical energy can be all potential, all kinetic, or a combination of both potential and kinetic.
Mechanical energy is the easiest form of energy to directly observe.
Mechanical energy - potential
Mechanical energy can be stored in two ways:
Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) is the energy stored in an object due to its position above the ground. The higher and heavier the object, the more gravitational energy is stored.
Elastic Potential Energy is the energy stored in objects due to tension. Rubber bands, springs, sling shots, and archery bows are all examples.
Mechanical energy - potential
Forms of Kinetic Energy...
Mechanical energy - kinetic
Mechanical energy can be kinetic due to the motion of objects.
Examples include:
Mechanical energy - kinetic
Electromagnetic energy (kinetic)
Electromagnetic energy is energy that travels in transverse waves.
This energy form includes visible light, x-rays, gamma rays and radio waves.
Sunlight is electromagnetic energy, which provides the fuel and warmth that make life on Earth possible.
Electromagnetic energy (kinetic)
Thermal energy (kinetic)
Thermal energy is the movement of particles (atoms and molecules) in a substance.
It is sometimes referred to as "heat energy".
Remember, particles are always in motion! Therefore, all matter has some amount of thermal energy.
If particles move faster, the amount of thermal energy is increased.
Thermal energy (kinetic)
Electrical energy (kinetic)
Electrical energy is the movement of electrons. This is also known as "electricity".
An atom's electrons can be shared or given/taken away. Metals are good conductors and let electrons flow through them easily.
Lightning is a natural form of electrical energy.
We rely on electrical energy to power our homes and personal devices.
Electrical energy (kinetic)
Sound energy (kinetic)
Sound energy is the movement of energy through substances in the form of
longitudinal/compression waves
Sound is produced �when a force causes �an object or substance� to vibrate.
Resources
Information in this presentation was acquired from the following sources:
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