ENERGY: ability to do work

GENERAL TYPES OF ENERGY

A. POTENTIAL ENERGY: energy that is stored in objects at rest
1. GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY
- due to the position of the object in relation to the ground
2. ELASTIC POTENTIAL ENERGY
- associated with elastic materials
B. KINETIC ENERGY: energy in motion

Figure 1. Transformation of Kinetic and Potential Energy in a pendulum

DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENERGY

1. MECHANICAL ENERGY
-energy possessed by a moving object or energy stored in the
structure of the object due to its position; able to do work
Examples: stored mechanical energy in compressed springs and in
human muscles
mechanical energy in simple machines, wind turbines,
bike, etc
2. CHEMICAL ENERGY
-type of energy stored
reactions, released or used.

in

molecules.

present

Examples: all fuels (coal, gas, wood, etc)

stored chemical energy in a dry cell
glucose as stored chemical energy in plant
(photosynthesis)

Prepared by: ELITE Tutorial & ReviewPage 1

in

chemical

3. RADIANT ENERGY (LIGHT ENERGY)

- form of energy that travels through empty space, radiates in
all direction, can be transferred to another body
- present in forms of visible light, UV rays, infrared, radio
waves, microwaves, etc.
Examples: sun, lighted candles, flashlights
4. ELECTRICAL ENERGY
-energy produced by moving electrons; flow of negatively charged
particles (electrons)

an atom gaining an electron becomes negatively charged

an atom losing electron becomes positively charged
same charges push each other, opposite charges pull each other
Conductors allow electron flow
Insulator does not allow electron flow
Forms of Electricity
Static Electricity- electric charges stay in one place
-formed when two objects were rubbed together
Electric Current- flow of electric charges between objects or
location if there is a difference in overall charge of atoms
between two points

5. Sound Energy
- produced by vibrating objects producing sound waves that are
carried through mediums (solid, liquid, gas)
Human can hear frequencies between 30-20kHz
Safe exposure limit is 85 decibels 8hrs per day
6. Thermal energy (Heat energy)
- produced due to motion of molecules
Molecules move rapidly when heated, hotter body
molecules
energy flow from warmer object to a cooler object,
Movement is via conduction (direct), convection
radiation
Examples: sun, volcanoes, burning materials

has

faster

(indirect),

7. Nuclear energy
-released during nuclear fission (splitting of heavy nuclei) or
nuclear fusion (light nuclei fused to heavy ones)
-reactions can generate electricity and nuclear weapons
(e.g. splitting of Uranium in nuclear power plants)

Prepared by: ELITE Tutorial & ReviewPage 2