Download Chapter 5 Study Guide “Energy and Power”

This guide will help you study for a test covering the important information about energy. If you study for 10
minutes a night, for at least up to 5 nights, and have your parents sign off on this form, I will give you 5 extra credit
points on the test. You must bring this signed study guide on the day of the test, not before, not after, in order to
receive credit (this is non-negotiable).
“Energy”


The ability to do work or cause change is called energy.
When an object or organism does work or causes a change on another object, some of its energy is
transferred.
KINETIC ENERGY
 The two kinds of energy are kinetic energy and potential energy.
 The energy from motion is called kinetic energy. (moving objects have kinetic energy)
 Velocity = speed
 Mass = weight (for now)
 The kinetic energy of an object depends on both its mass and its velocity.
POTENTIAL ENERGY
 Energy that is stored because of an objects position is potential energy.
 The potential energy associated with objects that can be stretched or compressed is called elastic
potential energy. (ex: rubber bands, jack in the box springs)
 Potential energy that depends on height is gravitational potential energy. (roller coasters)
DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENERGY
Some of the major forms of energy are mechanical/motion energy, thermal/heat energy, chemical energy,
electrical energy, light/electromagnetic energy, and nuclear energy.











Mechanical/Motion energy is the energy associated with the motion or position of an object. (arms or
legs moving, working machines that lift or pull)
Mechanical energy can occur as kinetic energy or potential energy.
Atoms and molecules have both potential energy and kinetic energy due to their arrangement and motion.
Thermal/Heat energy is the total energy of the particles in a substance or material. (melting ice cream,
rubbing hands)
When thermal energy increases (goes higher), its particles move faster, making the temperature rise.
Chemical energy is potential energy stored in foods you eat, cells in our bodies, some wood products.
(striking a match, batteries)
Moving electric charges produce electricity, and the energy they carry is called electrical energy.
(anything that is plugged in, batteries)
The light you see each day is a form of electromagnetic energy.
Light/Electromagnetic energy travels in waves or light we see. (light bulbs, microwave)
Nuclear energy is stored in the nucleus of an atom and is released during nuclear reactions.
Nuclear fission (split apart/power plants) and nuclear fusion (fuse together/sun) are reactions that release
tremendous amounts of energy.
“Energy Transformation/Conversion”
TRANSFORMATIONS/CONVERSIONS BETWEEN FORMS OF ENERGY



A change from one form of energy to another is called an energy transformation/conversion
Most forms of energy can be transferred or converted into other forms
Often a series of energy transformations or conversions is needed to do a task
_________________________Interaction
Energy Source
Energy Receiver
KINETIC AND POTENTIAL ENERGY
 One of the most common transfers/conversions is: potential energy to kinetic energy
 Any object that rises or falls experiences a change in its kinetic and potential energy (examples: the
juggling of the oranges, water falls, pole vaulting, and a swinging pendulum, roller coaster)
CONVERSION OF ENERGY
 The Law of Conservation of Energy: energy can not be created or destroyed
 The total amount of energy is the same before and after any process
 Friction converts mechanical energy to thermal energy
 The work output of a machine will always be less that the work input (think about the first hill of a roller
coaster and how the car will never be that high again)
I, ___________________________ have witnessed, helped my child study a minimum of
(Parent/Guardian signature)
50 minutes for the Energy Test, using this study guide.