Download potential energy.

Chapter 15
Section 1
Energy and Its Forms
Work and energy are closely related. When
work is done on an object, energy is
transferred to that object.
Many forms of energy can be classified
into two general types: kinetic energy
and potential energy.
•The sun gives off energy in
the forms of heat and light.
•Plants convert sunlight into
food than we can eat.
•People convert food energy
into muscle movement.
Kinetic Energy
The kinetic energy of any moving object
depends upon its mass and speed.
Potential Energy that depends upon an object’s height
is called gravitational potential energy. It increases
when an object is raised to a higher level.
Energy of each type can be converted into other
forms of energy.
Further Examples and Explanation of Energy
• Mechanical energy - the sum (total) of an object’s potential energy and
kinetic energy.
• Thermal energy - really a measure of how fast an object’s atoms are
moving.
• Chemical energy - when these bonds are broken, the released energy can
do work.
• Electrical energy - Batteries convert chemical energy to electrical energy.
Lightning is electrical energy.
• Electromagnetic energy - a form of energy that travels through space in the
form of waves. Because they can travel long distances through air and
space, they are often used for communication.
• Nuclear energy - Nuclear power plants use fission – splitting the nuclei of
atoms apart to release energy. The sun uses fusion – two hydrogen nuclei
combine the larger helium nuclei. (A tiny amount of mass is lost in the
process – which produces huge amounts of energy.)