Energy Flashcards
What is energy?
Greek for “active”
An object’s ability to do work (work is the transfer of energy)
What is gravitational potential energy?
The energy that things will have due to it’s position (usually height) relative to the surface of the Earth, or another object. It is released by falling. E(p) = mgh or F(g) (weight) x h
What is gravity and 9.81 m/s^2?
Gravity is a property of all objects with mass that causes them to accelerate towards each other.
g is the rate of acceleration that falling objects experience because of Earth’s mass
What is potential chemical energy?
The energy that is stored inside the chemical bonds of compounds?
Exothermic: gives off heat (energy)
Endothermic: takes in heat (energy)
What is potential electrical energy?
Work done by moving electrical charges
What is potential nuclear energy?
Energy is stored in the nucleus of an atom. E = ∆mc^2
Nuclear fission: atom is split ex: bomb, power plant
Nuclear fusion: atoms combine ex: Sun
Explain the chain reaction in nuclear power.
A neutron hits a big atom’s nucleus, then splits into 2 new atoms. It loses some neutrons, that further split more nuclei.
Mass from the nucleus is converted into energy. Products do not add up to the mass you start with.
What is potential solar energy?
Solar energy results from a nuclear fusion reaction (the Sun) and travels to Earth as electromagnetic radiation.
What does it mean for an object to be elastic?
Returns to its original shape after being distorted. ex: spring, elastic band.
What is elastic potential energy?
Work is done on an elastic object to distort it. The stored energy gets released when the deformed object returns to its original shape.
What is (potential) thermal energy?
Moving particles. (heat) (wasted energy)
What is kinetic energy?
“actively moving”, meaning motion. Measured easily. E(k) = 1/2mv^2
IS NOT A VECTOR. ANY MOTION COUNTS. PARTICLES MOVING, HEAT/TEMP?
What is potential energy?
stored energy, “held in readiness”. Can do work or cause motion but not moving yet.
ALSO ∆E(p) = W
What is mass?
Quantity of matter in an object. It doesn’t change under different conditions. In kg. F = ma (Newtons’ 2nd law)
Scalar
What is weight?
The force of gravity acting on a mass. It changes if gravity changes. In Newtons. F(g) = mg (g is gravity acceleration)
Vector