Term | Definition |
---|---|
Energy | The ability to do work |
Potential Energy | Stored energy and the energy of position. |
Kinetic Energy | The energy of motion. |
Stored Mechanical/Elastic Energy |
The energy stored in an object by applying a force.
Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands are examples. |
Atomic/Nuclear Energy | The energy stored in the nucleus of atoms. Energy is generated when the nucleus of atoms join together or split apart. |
Chemical Energy |
The energy stored in matter that is released during a chemical change.
(Ex. Biomass, petroleum (oil), natural gas, and food) |
Gravitational Energy | The energy of position or place. (Ex. Rock on a hill) |
Heat/Thermal Energy | The energy related to heat and the temperature of matter. |
Electrical Energy | The energy of electrically charged matter. (Ex. Lightening) |
Light/Radiant Energy |
Electromagnetic energy that travels in vertical (transverse) waves. (Ex. Visible light, x-rays, gamma rays, and radio waves) |
Mechanical Energy |
The sum of potential and kinetic energy in an object that is used to do work; this energy has potential and kinetic energy.
Lifting a hammer (potential energy) and then hitting a nail into wood (kinetic energy) is an example of this type of energy. |
Sound Energy |
The movement of energy through substances in longitudinal (compression/rarefaction) waves.
Sound is produced when a force causes an object or substance to vibrate; the energy is transferred through the substance in a longitudinal wave. |
Law of Conservation of Energy | Energy can neither be created or destroyed, it just changes form. |
Energy Conversion | The process of changing from one form of energy into another |
Force | A push or pull; all forces have both size and direction. |
Balanced Force | When the forces applied to an object produce a net force of zero; balanced forces DO NOT cause any change in motion. |
Unbalanced Force | When the net force of an object is NOT zero; it takes an unbalanced force to produce any change in motion (starting or stopping). |
Speed | The rate at which an object moves; speed depends on the DISTANCE traveled and the TIME taken to travel that distance. Speed=distance/time |
Velocity | The speed of an object in a particular direction. |
Conduction | Heat transfer through direct contact; usually a solid. |
Convection | Heat transfer through a convection current; gas or liquid. |
Radiation | Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves. |
Pulley | A simple machine that uses a grooved wheel and a rope to raise, lower or move a load. |
Inclined Plane | Slope used to lift heavy objects. |