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Forms of Energy Notes/Examples
Type of Energy
Definition
Examples
Visible light, ultraviolet radiation,
microwaves, and infrared radiation.
Electromagnetic
Energy
The energy of light and other forms of
radiation. This type of energy travels
in waves with some electrical and
some magnetic properties.
Radiant Energy is a type of
electromagnetic energy made up of
heat energy and light energy
Solar energy is an example of
radiant energy
Energy of the motion or position of an
object. It can occur as either kinetic
or potential energy.
Kinetic energy-The energy of a
bowling ball rolling down an alley
(Radiant/Solar
Energy)
Mechanical Energy
Potential energy-The energy of a
roller coaster car at the top of a hill
Electricity from a power plant, or
lightning in the sky.
Electrical Energy
Energy from the flow of electrons. It
is the energy produced by electric
charges.
Chemical Energy
Is the energy stored in the bonds of
atoms and molecules or produced
from chemical reactions.
Energy stored in the foods you eat
or in fuels such as wood and
gasoline.
Batteries create electrical energy
from chemical reactions.
Is the energy carried by sound waves
caused by vibrations.
Sound from a loudspeaker, a radio
or TV. It is also sound of the wind,
thunder or someone’s voice
Moving air, or wind, contains energy.
The energy of the wind is generated to
other forms of energy, such as
mechanical (blades moving) and
electrical energy.
The blades of a windmill catch the
wind and spin transforming wind
energy to mechanical energy. A
generator inside the windmill
converts this mechanical energy to
electrical energy.
Sound Energy
Wind Energy
Illustrations
Forms of Energy Notes/Examples
Type of Energy
Definition
Nuclear Energy
It is stored in the nucleus of an atom
and is released during nuclear
reactions, in which the nucleus of an
atom is split. Nuclear energy is a
powerful but potentially dangerous
form of energy.
Thermal Energy
(Sometimes called
heat energy
Is the energy related to the
temperature of a substance and the
total energy of the particles in that
substance. When the thermal energy
of an object increases, its particles
move faster, making the temperature
of the object rise.
Examples
Occurs in the sun and other stars.
Used to generate electricity in a
nuclear power plant. Also used to
kill cancer cells and Atomic bombs.
Heat from an oven, a toaster, or
even the heat in your body.
Biomass
A type of renewable resource that is
made from decaying plants and
animals. Used to make fuel called
ethanol.
Any organic (plant or animal)
material which is available on a
renewable basis, including
agricultural crops and agricultural
wastes and residues, wood and
wood wastes and residues, animal
wastes, municipal wastes, and
aquatic plants.
Hydropower
An inexhaustible energy source that
comes from moving water (kinetic
energy).
Hydropower plants are found near
river dams. Moving water (kinetic
energy) turns a turbine, which is
converted to electricity from a
generator inside the dam.
Geothermal Energy
The word geothermal comes from the
Greek words geo (earth) and therme
(heat). So, geothermal energy is heat
from within the earth. Geothermal
energy is a renewable energy source
because the water is replenished by
rainfall and the heat is continuously
produced inside the earth’s core.
Nonrenewable resources that cannot
be easily regrown or replaced. They
take millions of years to form.
We can use the steam and hot water
produced inside the earth to heat
buildings or generate electricity. It
can be taken from hot springs,
reservoirs of hot water deep below
the ground, or by breaking open the
rock itself.
Natural Resources
(Fossil Fuels)
Coal, oil, petroleum, natural gas
Illustrations