Download Energy and Its Forms (section 1) The law of conservation of energy

Chapter 15 – Energy: Vocabulary Terms
Period 2 & 4/5
Mr. Kovscek
Energy and Its Forms (section 1)
Energy (447) - is the ability to do work Unit: Joule
Kinetic Energy (447) energy of motion KE = ½ mv2 measured in joules
Potential Energy (448) energy that is stored as a result of position or shape; Two forms of potential
energy are gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy measured in joules
Gravitational Potential Energy (449) is the potential energy that depends upon an object’s height (h)
relative to a reference point (ho). An object’s gravitational potential energy depends on its mass, its
height, and the acceleration due to gravity. The gravitational potential energy an object gains is equal to
its weight (mg) multiplied by its height (h). PEg = m ag h measured in joules
Elastic Potential Energy (450) energy that is stored as a result of shape changes in an object. PEe is
measured with respect to a how far an object’s shape is changed, in general the distance the object is
“stretched or compressed” PEe = ½ kx2  k is the object’s specific spring constant & x is the specific
distance an object’s shape is changed; measured in joules.
Mechanical Energy (450) energy associated with the motion and position of everyday objects
Thermal Energy (451) total potential and kinetic energy of all the microscopic particles (atomic scale
particles) that make up an object
Chemical Energy (451) the energy stored in chemical bonds; when bonds are broken, the released
energy can be used
Electrical Energy (452) energy associated with electric charges (the charges do not need to be in
motion)
Electromagnetic Energy (452) a form of energy that travels through space in the form of waves of
photons (this includes visible light)
Nuclear Energy (452) energy stored in atomic nuclei
The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or
destroyed (section 2)
Energy Conversion (454) changing energy from one form to another
Energy Resources (section 3)
Nonrenewable Energy Resources (462) energy resources exist in limited quantities and, once used,
cannot be replaced except over the course of tens to hundreds of millennia
Fossil Fuels (462) energy resources exist in limited quantities and, once used, cannot be replaced
except over the course of tens to hundreds of millennia
Renewable Energy Resources (463) energy resources that can be replaced in a relatively short period
of time
Hydroelectric Energy (463) electric energy obtained from the gravitational potential energy that is
released as flowing water
Solar Energy (464) Sunlight (solar light includes all forms of electromagnetic radiation) that is
converted into usable energy by converting EMR directly to the useful form of energy (usually electric
and thermal)
Geothermal Energy (464) usable thermal energy from beneath the Earth’s surface
Biomass Energy (464) chemical energy stored in living, or very recently living things
Hydrogen Fuel Cell (464) directly generated electricity through reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a
specially designed “cell”; a way to directly collect electrical energy from the reaction of water
generation from hydrogen and oxygen
Energy Conservation (466) conserving energy resources can by reducing energy used and by
increasing the efficiency of machines that use energy