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Energy And Its Forms: Student Notes
Energy = Life
• Energy powers our planet
• Without the energy from the sun, all life would perish
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Energy = Convenience and Comfort
• We use energy every day to heat our homes, run our cars and power our gadgets
• Life would be very different without it
Where does it come from?
• We obtain energy from many sources
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Types of Energy
• There are many forms energy can take but we will discuss 9
• List as many below as you can
1. Thermal Energy
• ____________
An increase in molecular motion = an increase in temperature.
Usually associated with heat energy
• Thermal energy is produced through friction
i.e. rubbing your hands together generates heat through friction
2. Electrical Energy
• The energy carried by electrons moving from one substance (atom) to another.
___________
3. Radiant Energy
• _____________
• i.e. microwaves, visible light, radio waves.
4. Nuclear Potential Energy
• The energy stored in the nucleus of an atom
• Can be released during a nuclear reaction
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5. Gravitational Potential Energy
• ___________
• Water that is raised up gains potential energy due to its motion against gravity. Gravity wants to pull it
down
• If the water is allowed to move with gravity, it can be used to do something like spin a turbine to
generate electricity in a hydroelectric power plant
6. Kinetic Energy
• _______________
• Anything that is moving has kinetic energy
• If an object gains potential energy by raising it up, it gains kinetic energy as it falls back down
7. Elastic Potential Energy
• The potential energy that is stored in objects that are stretched or compressed. ___________
• Examples:
a spring
a bow/slingshot
8. Sound Energy
• A type of energy that is produced by vibration
• ____________
9. Chemical Potential Energy
• Energy is released when atomic bonds are created and is _______________
Example: When methane chemically reacts with oxygen there is a net release of energy.
• Batteries store chemical energy
This is chemical potential energy because the chemicals have the potential to react and release energy when
the battery is used.
Energy Units
• No matter which form of energy you are talking about, ____________
Energy Transformation
• Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be converted from one form to another.
• Examples:
The bonds within a piece of wood have chemical potential energy. It releases this chemical energy when it
is burned
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Energy Transformation Equation
• Shows the different forms the energy takes as well as the order.
• Each form of energy is separated by a 
Example: A microwave uses electrical energy to create radiant energy (microwaves) which is transformed into
thermal energy in your food.
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You Try
• With the person beside you, come up with at least 3 examples of energy transformation and write the
proper energy transformation equation
• You may NOT use any that I have previously used