Module 5 Vocab

Question 1

Energy

Answer 1

The ability to do work or transfer heat.

Question 2

Joule

Answer 2

The amount of energy used when a 1-watt electrical device is turned on for 1 second.

Question 3

Power

Answer 3

The rate at which work is done.

Question 4

Electromagnetic radiation

Answer 4

A form of energy emitted by the Sun that includes, but is not limited to, visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared energy.

Question 5

Photon

Answer 5

A massless packet of energy that carries electromagnetic radiation at the speed of light.

Question 6

Potential energy

Answer 6

Stored energy that has not been released.

Question 7

Chemical energy

Answer 7

Potential energy stored in chemical bonds.

Question 8

Kinetic energy

Answer 8

The energy of motion.

Question 9

Temperature

Answer 9

The measure of the average kinetic energy of a substance.

Question 10

First law of thermodynamics

Answer 10

A physical law which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can change from one form to another.

Question 11

Second law of thermodynamics

Answer 11

The physical law stating that when energy is transformed, the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes.

Question 12

Energy efficiency

Answer 12

The ratio of the amount of energy expended in the form you want to the total amount of energy that is introduced into the system.

Question 13

Energy quality

Answer 13

The ease with which an energy source can be used for work.

Question 14

Entropy

Answer 14

Randomness in a system.

Question 15

Open system

Answer 15

A system in which exchanges of matter or energy occur across system boundaries.

Question 16

Closed system

Answer 16

A system in which matter and energy exchanges do not occur across boundaries.

Question 17

Input

Answer 17

An addition to a system.

Question 18

Output

Answer 18

A loss from a system.

Question 19

Systems analysis

Answer 19

An analysis to determine inputs, outputs, and changes in a system under various conditions.

Question 20

Steady state

Answer 20

A state in which inputs equal outputs, so that the system is not changing over time.

Question 21

Negative feedback loop

Answer 21

A feedback loop in which a system responds to a change by returning to its original state, or by decreasing the rate at which the change is occurring.

Question 22

Positive feedback loop

Answer 22

A feedback loop in which change in a system is amplified.