Download The Nature of Energy

Chapter 4 – Section 1
The Nature of Energy
A. Energy is the ability to cause change.
B. Joule – The SI unit used to measure energy
1. Kinetic energy – energy in the form of
motion.
Ex:
a. The amount of kinetic energy an object
has depends on its mass and its velocity.
b. Kinetic energy = ½ mass x velocity2
2. Thermal Energy – energy in the form of
heat.
Ex:
3. Electric Energy – the movement of charges
through a wire.
Ex:
4. Potential energy – energy stored in a
motionless object, giving it the potential to
cause change
Ex:
5. Elastic potential energy – energy stored
by things that stretch or compress.
Ex:
6. Chemical potential energy – energy stored
in chemical bonds between atoms.
Ex:
7. Gravitational potential energy – energy
stored by things that are above Earth
Ex:
a. The amount of GPE an object has
depends on its mass, the acceleration
due to gravity, and its height above
ground.
b. GPE = (mass in kilograms) x (9.8 m/s2) x
(height in meters)
DISCUSSION QUESTION:

How does food provide energy for your body?