Energy Unit Flashcards
energy
the ability to do work or make things happen
What are the two types of energy?
potential and kinetic energy
Kinetic energy
moving energy
Potential energy
stored energy; anything that has mass and takes up space has this type of energy
What are the 5 forms of energy?
M.E.L.T.S. Mechanical, Electrical, Light, Thermal or Heat, and Sound Energy: forms are specific types of energy
Is transferring energy the same thing as transforming it?
No, transfer means to move it from one place to another. Transform means to convert it or change it to another form of energy.
Does toilet paper have energy?
Yes, it has mass and takes up space, and it has the “potential” to be thrown, kicked, slid…
Mechanical Energy
form of energy that is the sum of potential and kinetic energy; the energy of moving parts examples might be: swinging a hammer, pedaling a bike, running…
Electrical Energy
electricity ( the flow of electrons); energy contained within an electrical field
conductors
items that allow heat and electricity to flow easily through them
Examples of good conductors
metals (copper, aluminum, silver)
Examples of good insulators
air, glass, plastic, and rubber
insulators
materials that heat or electricity don’t flow easily through
T or F Good insulators are bad conductors.
True. Good conductors are also bad insulators. Certain materials are better for heat or electricity to move through. Oftentimes, copper wire is coated in plastic, so we don’t get electrocuted nor burnt.
T or F Electricity can be stored, but not transferred.
False. Static electricity is electricity that has been stored and released due to an imbalance of electrons. Electricity can be transferred from one object to another or from place to place.
electric current
the movement of charges
electric circuit
the path for moving charges; can be open or closed
closed circuit
a complete or closed path that current can flow through
open circuit
an incomplete or open path that current cannot flow through
Light Energy
energy that you can see; it travels in waves
How do we create different colors?
shorter or longer wavelengths
How do we change the brightness of a color?
taller or shorter amplitudes of waves
Light Energy Examples
We have man-made and natural light resources.
Man-made: light bulb, fire, car headlights
Natural: Sunlight, stars
Heat Energy
energy that you can feel. It is associated with temperature and the movement of atoms in matter; it also travels in waves
cold
slower vibrations with few gaps; they clump or group together
hot
faster vibrations with gaps; they spread out more and want their space
vibrate
move back and forth quickly
heat
the transfer of thermal energy
temperature
how warm or cool something is
heating
adding or transferring thermal energy to a substance
cooling
removing heat from a substance
What are the three states of matter?
Solid, liquid, gas; how matter decides to take up space
Solid
particles are packed closely together and have a fixed shape and volume
Liquid
particles that can move freely and take up the space of the container, and the volume always stays the same
Gas
can change its volume and shape; lots of separation, and they can move like crazy
Melting
when something changes from a solid to a liquid; think of a melting ice cube
Condensation
when something changes from a gas to a liquid; think of a glass sweating
Evaporation
when something changes from a liquid to a gas; water boils and disappears into the air
Freezing
when something changes from a liquid to a solid; like making ice cubes ( pour water, then put it into the freezer)
T or F Heat transfers or moves from something hot to something cold.
True. Think about when Harry’s hand got burned. The heat from the doorknob went to his hand which was colder than the doorknob and burnt it.
What are the three ways that heat energy can be transferred?
conduction, convection, radiation
Conduction
heat energy is transferred by direct contact; this is why you don’t touch your mom’s hair straightener or iron on the metal
Convection
heat energy is transferred in liquid or gas through a continuous cycle or circular motion as temperatures change; the energy travels away from the heat source
Radiation
heat transfer through waves without direct contact (in-direct contact)
As temperature increases…
kinetic energy increases, or more heat equals more moving energy
Mrs. C took her pan of hot cookies out of the oven and forgot her pot holder. She burned her hands. Was she burnt due to conduction or radiation?
Conduction. I was in direct contact with that pan. I should have used a pot holder as an insulator to block the heat.
Sound Energy
energy that we can hear; sound is created with vibrations
T or F Sound waves travel in one direction.
False. Sound waves travel in all directions.
T or F Sound waves need air or water to travel through.
True. Without air or some other type of medium, we wouldn’t have sound. This is why we can’t hear a BOOM in space. Sound waves can’t travel through empty space without particles of some sort.
The faster an object is going…
the more energy it possesses.
Batteries
store energy & change it from one form of energy to another
solar cell
converts light energy to electrical energy
T or F Heat, light, and sound can transfer energy from place to place.
True. All of these use waves to transfer energy.
