Download Energy Notes - Northside Middle School

Energy Notes
Energy is the ability to do work.
The six types of energy are:
1. kinetic
2. potential
3. Thermal
4. nuclear
5. electrical
6. chemical
Definition of Potential Energy- Energy due to position or stored energy
Examples of Potential energy are: Stretching a rubber band,Water at the top of a
waterfall, Yo–Yo in held in your hand, Drawing a Bow
 Gravitational Potential Energy is energy due to an objects height above the
ground
 A waterfall, high dive diver, and a falling snowflake all have gravitational
potential energy.
 Things that are positioned higher have more potential energy
 Heavier things have greater potential energy.
 Energy that is stored due to being stretched or compressed is called elastic
potential energy.
 A sling shot, bow and arrow and springs all have elastic potential energy.
Definition of Kinetic Energy is energy of motion.
• The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.
• The greater the mass of a moving object, the more kinetic energy it has.
• Examples of Kinetic Energy are: Shooting a rubber band, water falling over the
fall, a Yo-Yo in motion, releasing the arrow from the bow.
The Law of Conservation of Energy Energy can be neither created nor destroyed by
ordinary means.
 It can only be changed from one form to another.
 If energy seems to disappear, then consider that energy might have been
changed to sound, heat or light
All forms of energy can be converted into other forms
 The sun’s energy through solar cells can be converted directly into
electricity.
 Green plants convert the sun’s energy (electromagnetic) into starches and
sugars (chemical energy).
 In an electric motor, electromagnetic energy is converted to mechanical
energy.
 In a battery, chemical energy is converted into electromagnetic energy.
The most common energy conversion is the conversion between potential and kinetic
energy
When stored energy begins to move, the object now transfers from potential energy into
kinetic energy.
Energy Homework
What does the law of conservation of energy state?
At your home, roll a ball off a table.
Draw a picture of the ball bouncing for a couple of bounces. Label at least 3 areas where
potential energy is high. Label three areas where potential energy is low. Label 3 areas
where kinetic energy is high. Label three areas where kinetic energy is low. Label two
areas where kinetic and potential energy are about equal.
List three ways energy from the bouncing ball was transferred to other places.