Different Types Of Energy (T4)

Question 1

List the forms that energy can exist in..

Answer 1

• light
• sound
• thermal energy
• electrical energy
• kinetic energy
• chemical energy
• nuclear energy
• potential energy

Question 2

Say a bit about thermal energy..

Answer 2

• this is heat in any form

- the amount of heat energy that a body has depends on its temperature and its mass

Question 3

Describe electrical energy..

Answer 3

Energy in electrical circuits that is ready to be converted into other forms by electrical components of appliances

Question 4

What is kinetic energy?

Answer 4

Energy that a body possesses due to the fact that it is moving

Question 5

Define chemical energy…

Answer 5

• energy that can only be released by a chemical reaction

- eg: burning

Question 6

Say a bit about nuclear energy…

Answer 6

• energy that can only be released by a nuclear reaction

- eg: radioactive decay and reactions in nuclear power plants or nuclear weapons

Question 7

What is potential energy?

Answer 7

Potential energy is stored energy and comes in two forms:

• elastic potential energy: energy stored in a body that is bent, stretched, compressed or twisted
• gravitational potential energy: energy stored in a body that is above the ground. This energy is converted into kinetic energy if the body falls

Question 8

What kind of energy does food provide us?

Answer 8

Stored chemical energy that we can burn to turn into other types of energy

Question 9

What is the energy from the heat underground called?

Answer 9

Geothermal energy

Question 10

Some electrical energy is produced from the energy stored in water kept in reservoirs in mountainous areas. What energy are we referring to?

Answer 10

Gravitational potential energy

Question 11

Most of the energy needed to heat and light up our homes, schools and workplaces is converted from what kind of energy?

Answer 11

Electrical energy

Question 12

What kind of energy can be stored in springs and what is it used for?

Answer 12

• elastic potential energy

- used in things like clocks, toys and catapults

Question 13

What is the main source of energy for the Earth?

Answer 13

The Sun

Question 14

Give two examples of wasted energy

Answer 14

An electric heater heating water in a house:

• the hot water is stored in a tank
• however well insulated, some energy will escape from the water and some will be used to heat up the copper that the tank it made from
• both processes mean some of the energy converted from electricity to heat is lost because it is not doing exactly what we want it to do (make the water hot)

Filling and running a car on petrol:

• the main aim is to convert the chemical energy in fuel into movement, with a small amount providing things like electrical energy for the lights and radio etc.
• however a considerable amount is converted to heat, most of which is lost or wasted by heating up the surroundings
• some is converted to sound
• a lot if used to overcome the friction forces that oppose the car’s movement

Question 15

What energy do we produce from food to keep us warm?

Answer 15

Thermal energy

Question 16

What energy do our muscles convert chemical energy from food into?

Answer 16

Kinetic energy

Question 17

How can sound energy be used in medical science?

Answer 17

• sound energy can be used to break up small bones that form in a persons body without the need for an operation
• sound energy is also used in medicine to examine the inside of the body, as an alternative to an X-ray