Energy

Question 1

chemical energy

Answer 1

Chemical energy is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.

Examples: batteries, biomass, petroleum, natural gas, coal

Chemical energy is converted to thermal energy when wood is burned in a fireplace or gasoline is burned in a car’s engine.

Question 2

Nuclear Energy

Answer 2

Nuclear energy is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom—the energy that holds the nucleus together.

Large amounts of energy can be released when the nuclei are combined or split apart.

Question 3

Gravitational Potential Energy

Answer 3

Gravitational energy is energy stored in an object’s height.
The higher and heavier the object, the more gravitational energy is stored.
When a person rides a bicycle down a steep hill and picks up speed, the gravitational energy is converting to kinetic energy.

Question 4

Elastic Potential Energy

Answer 4

Elastic potential energy is energy stored in objects by tension.
Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands are examples of stored elastic potential energy.

Question 5

Radiant energy

Answer 5

Radiant energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves.
Radiant energy includes visible light, x-rays, gamma rays, and radio waves.
Light is one type of radiant energy. Sunshine is radiant energy, which provides the fuel and warmth that make life on earth possible.

Question 6

Thermal Energy

Answer 6

Thermal energy, or heat, is the energy that comes from the movement of atoms and molecules in a substance.

Heat increases when these particles move faster. Geothermal energy is the thermal energy in the earth.

Question 7

Electrical Energy

Answer 7

Electrical energy is delivered by electrons, typically moving through a wire.
Lightning is an example of electrical energy in nature.

Question 8

Sound

Answer 8

Sound is energy moving 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 wave. Typically, the energy in sound is smaller than in other forms of energy.

Question 9

Kinetic energy

Answer 9

Kinetic (motion) energy is energy of moving objects.
Wind, cars driving, a person running are examples of kinetic energy.