Unit 3.3
Mechanical Energy the energy associated with position and motion of an object Mechanical Energy is composed of both kinetic and potential energy. Mechanical Energy = Potential Energy + Kinetic Energy Example: A football thrown by a quarterback has both potential and kinetic energy. The higher the football is, the more potential energy it has (gravity). The faster the football moves, the more kinetic energy it has.
ALL ENERGY FALLS INTO THE CATEGORIES OF EITHER BEING POTENTIAL OR KINETIC ENERGY. Other forms of energy deal with how the particles within the objects move.
There are five major forms of energy that fall under either kinetic or potential energy: 1. Thermal Energy 2. Electrical Energy 3. Chemical Energy 4. Nuclear Energy 5. Electromagnetic Energy
Fuel cells (Chemical energy Energy) Geothermal power (Thermal Energy Energy) Heat engines, such as the internal combustion engine used in cars or the steam engine (Thermal Energy Energy) Lamp ( energy Thermal Energy and Electromagnetic Energy (Light)) Nuclear reactor ( energy Electrical Energy) Solar cells ( Energy Electrical Energy) Steam engine (Thermal Energy Energy) Wave power ( energy Electrical Energy) Remote Control (Chemical Energy Electrical Energy Energy)
Thermal Energy the total kinetic and potential energy of a particle Higher kinetic energy is associated with higher thermal energy and vice-versa. For example, when you have ice cream, the amount of kinetic energy is low (so it feels cold). If the ice cream is sat out on a counter, it gains thermal energy and more kinetic energy (it feels warm). Particles move faster when there is more kinetic energy.
Electrical Energy - the energy of electrical charges Electrical energy can be either kinetic or potential. Potential forms of electrical energy are batteries. Kinetic forms include a light bulb or lightning.
Almost everything you see, touch, or taste is composed of chemical compounds. Chemical Energy potential energy stored in the chemical bonds that hold chemical compounds together Examples include grapes (which your body releases when you digest) and a can of gasoline.
Nuclear Energy a type of potential energy that is stored in the nucleus of an atom. There are two types of nuclear energy 1. Nuclear fission energy from a nuclear power plant where the nucleus splits. 2. Nuclear fusion energy from the sun where the nucleus is FUSED together.
Electromagnetic Energy the energy of light and other forms of radiation that travel in waves. Examples: microwaves to cook your food, X-ray to look for a broken foot, radio waves that we use for 99.7 Mhz (KISS FM).
Energy Transformations a change from one form of energy to another. Example: Using a remote A remote has batteries (electrical energy) and when the remote is used, the chemical energy is transferred into a signal to turn the TV (electromagnetic energy). Example: A toaster The electrical energy from the toaster is transferred to thermal energy to heat food.
The most common energy transformation is between potential and kinetic energy. Think about human movement. We move and stop all day in most circumstances. A pendulum is also an excellent example.
Law of Conservation of Energy when one form of energy is transformed to another, no energy is destroyed in the process. ENERGY CANNOT BE CREATED OR DESTROYED BY THIS LAW!!
If all energy is conserved, then why does a spinning top stop? The kinetic energy of the spinning top is transferred to thermal energy by friction. Energy is conserved, but transferred to another kind.
Fuel cells (Chemical energy Electrical Energy) Geothermal power (Thermal Energy Electrical Energy) Heat engines, such as the internal combustion engine used in cars or the steam engine (Thermal Energy Electrical Energy) Lamp (Chemical energy Thermal Energy and Electromagnetic Energy (Light)) Nuclear reactor (Nuclear energy Electrical Energy) Solar cells (Electromagnetic Energy Electrical Energy) Steam engine (Thermal Energy Kinetic Energy) Wave power (Mechanical energy Electrical Energy) Remote Control (Chemical Energy Electrical Energy Electromagnetic Energy)