Download What is Energy?

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INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY
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Use the following 2 web pages to complete #1-6. Click on “What is Energy?” at either site.
Both sites are for the U.S. Energy Information Administration; one is just for kids.
http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/index.cfm
1. What is energy?
Energy is the ability to WORK.
2. What is potential energy?
Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position – gravitational potential energy.
3. What is kinetic energy?
Kinetic energy is motion – of waves, electrons, atoms, molecules, substances, and objects.
4. What are some forms of energy?
Potential
Chemical – batteries, fossil fuels, food.
Mechanical – compressed springs, stretched rubber
bands
Nuclear – splitting/combining of atoms, energy
released from an atom
Gravitational – energy of position
Kinetic
Radiant – visible light, x-rays
Motion – energy stored in the movement of objects.
Sound – force causes an object to vibrate
Electrical – electrons typically moving through a
wire
Thermal – geothermal energy
5. What is an energy transformation?
Energy transformation is the process of changing one form of energy to another. Energy is neither created
nor destroyed.
6. Give several examples of energy transformations.
Light bulb (electrical) to light (radiant) + heat (thermal)
Waffles (chemical) to 50 jump shots (motion) + heat (thermal)
Battery (chemical) to cell phone (electrical) + heat (thermal)
Solar Panel (electrical) + Light bulb (electrical) + heat (thermal)