1.2 Energy and Energy Transformations

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What is energy?

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Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. It exists in various forms, such as kinetic, potential, thermal, electrical, chemical, and nuclear energy.

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What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

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The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

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What is electrical energy?

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Electrical energy is the energy caused by the movement of electrons. It can be found in batteries, wall outlets, and electrical circuits.

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What is an example of energy transformation?

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An example of energy transformation is when a battery (chemical energy) powers a flashlight, converting chemical energy into light energy.

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What happens to energy in a power plant?

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In a power plant, chemical energy from fuel (like coal) is transformed into thermal energy, then into mechanical energy, and finally into electrical energy.

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What is kinetic energy?

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Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.

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What is potential energy?

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Potential energy is stored energy based on an object's position or state. For example, a rock at the top of a hill has gravitational potential energy.

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What is thermal energy?

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Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of particles in a substance. It is often associated with heat.

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What is light/radiant energy?

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Light/radiant energy is the energy of electromagnetic waves, including visible light, which can be harnessed by solar panels.

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What is an example of energy transfer?

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An example of energy transfer is when heat moves from a hot stove to a pot of water, warming it up.