Energy Transformation VOCABULARY Flashcards
Energy
the ability to do work
potential energy
stored energy and the energy of position
(Energy ready to go … like a lawn mower filled with gasoline (not moving but ready), a car on top of a hill (not moving but ready).
chemical energy
the energy stored in the bonds of molecules and compounds … Energy that is given off when chemicals react
Conservation of energy
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it transforms to another form of energy
Conduction
The transfer of energy by direct contact
Convection
The transfer of energy through fluids
Electrical energy
The energy of moving charges in electricity.
Fluid
Liquids or gases
Elastic potential energy
The energy stored from objects being stretched or compressed.
Gravitational Energy (gravity)
Potential energy associated with gravity. This varies with height. Greater height = greater gravitational potential energy
Kinetic Energy
The energy of motion. (Like skateboarding)
Energy at work. (Lawn mower cutting grass, a car racing down a hill)
Mechanical Energy
Energy from the motion of matter. (Like in a spring or stretched rubber band.)
Nuclear Energy
Energy from changes in the nucleus of an atom.
radiant energy
Energy that is transmitted in the form of (electromagnetic) radiation (light). (Like solar energy or a flame) Form of energy; Example incandescent light bulb, oven filament; energy of light
radiation
The transfer of energy through empty space. (Like the sun warming a greenhouse)
sound energy
The energy of vibrating air molecules. (like sound going into your ear)
thermal energy
The internal energy of a substance due to the movement or vibration of its atoms or molecules. (heat)
transform
To change one form of energy to another.
renewable
A natural resource that CAN NOT be replaced by natural processes within a lifetime.
solar
Type of energy; energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy
system
Form of energy Example car interior in the summer; energy that all objects have; increases as the object’s temperature increases
Watt
unit of power in the metric system.
Wind
Type of energy; used by converting the energy of the wind into mechanical energy (wind turbines)
You put your hand near the stove to see if it is warm. Heat is transferred to your hand through ______.
a. radiation
b. conduction
c. convection
d. insulation
Answer is “radiation,” because your hand does not actually touch the stove. If your hand touched the stove, it would then be “conduction.”