Download ENERGY VOCABULARY REVIEW

ENERGY VOCABULARY
1. Energy is the ability to do work or cause change.
2. Kinetic Energy is the energy an object has
because of its motion.
3. Potential Energy is stored energy or the energy
of position.
4. Chemical Energy is the energy stored in the
chemical bonds of atoms and molecules.
Biomass and fossil fuels contain chemical
energy.
5. Thermal Energy is the total potential and
kinetic energy associated with the random
motions of the atoms and molecules of a
material. This energy increases as temperature
increases.
6. Radiant Energy is electromagnetic energy that
travels in waves. This type of energy includes
visible light, x-rays, gamma rays, and radio
waves. Solar energy is an example of this.
7. Nuclear Energy is the energy stored in the
nucleus of an atom that is released by joining
(fusion) or splitting (fission) the atom.
8. Electrical Energy is the movement of electrons.
It is the energy carried by the electric current that
comes out of batteries and electrical outlets.
9. Motion Energy is the movement of objects and
substances from one place to another. Wind and
hydropower are examples of this type of energy.
10.Sound Energy is the type of energy produced
when a force causes an object or substance to
vibrate. The energy is transferred through the
substance in a longitudinal wave.
11.Stored Mechanical Energy is energy stored in
objects by the application of a force.
Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands
are examples of this type of energy.
12.Gravitational Energy is the energy of position
or place. The higher up something is, the more
of this type of energy there is.
13.Alternative Resources are resources that are
renewable and cause less harm to the
environment. Examples of these resources are
solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal
energy.
14. Inexhaustible resources can’t be used up by
humans. The sun is an example.
15.Nonrenewable resources are used up much
faster than they can be replaced. Fossil fuels and
uranium are nonrenewable resources.
16.Renewable resources are energy sources that
are replaced continually. These include
hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal, and
biomass.
17.Photovoltaic cell- a device that transforms
radiant energy directly into electrical energy.
(Also known as a solar cell.)
18.Generator - a device that transforms kinetic
energy (mechanical energy) into electrical
energy.
19.Turbine - a device with blades, which is turned
by a force like wind, water, or steam. The
mechanical energy of the spinning turbine is
converted into electricity by a generator.
20.Law of Conservation of Energy states that
energy is never created or destroyed. Energy
changes form, but the total amount of energy in
the universe stays the same.
21.Biomass – any organic matter (anything that
was once alive) that can be used as an energy
source.
22.Photosynthesis – Plants convert radiant energy
from the sun into chemical energy in the form of
glucose (sugar).
23.Temperature – the average kinetic energy of the
individual particles of a substance.