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Energy Basics
Energy
The ability to do work or cause
change
Either potential or kinetic
Potential Energy
Energy that is stored and the energy
of position (gravitational).
Kinetic Energy
The energy of motion (motion of
waves, electrons, atoms, molecules
and substances.
Forms of Energy
Can be found in many forms
Can be converted from one form or another
Conversion can be both man made and
natural process
All forms of energy fall under two categories:
– Potential - gravitational, chemical,
nuclear and stored mechanical;
– Kinetic - sound, electrical, thermal,
radiant, and motion.
Gravitational Energy
The energy of place or position.
Water held in a reservoir behind a
hydropower dam is an example of
potential gravitational energy.
Chemical Energy
Stored in chemical bonds holding the
atoms of compounds together
Food, wood, batteries, fossil fuels,
biomass.
Stored Mechanical Energy
Energy stored in objects or
substances by the application of a
force.
(ex. Compressed springs and
stretched rubber bands)
Sound Energy
The movement of energy through
objects or substances in longitudinal
(compression) waves.
Electrical Energy
Energy of moving electrons
(ex. lightning & electricity)
Invisible but most useful
form
When the electrons are
separated from positive
charges and then forced
along a closed path in a
conduction material
(ex: copper)
Radiant or Light Energy
Electromagnetic energy that travels
in transverse waves.
Most are invisible except for visible
light
UV rays, X-rays, gamma rays and
radio waves
Thermal Energy
A special form of kinetic energy. The
internal energy in substances.
Energy of moving or vibrating
molecules within substances.
The faster the molecules vibrate the
greater the temperature.
(ex. geothermal)
Nuclear Energy
Energy that is stored in the nucleus
of an atom and holds the nucleus
together.
Released by fission, the splitting of
nuclei of heavy atoms
Released by fusion-the combining of
nuclei of light atoms
The sun is an example-fusion fuels it