Law of Conservation of Energy

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Energy Noun

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[en-er-jee]

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Energy

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The capacity or ability to do work or cause change, existing in various forms such as kinetic or potential.

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Example: This diagram shows how an electric cell (battery) causes electrons to flow through a conductor, creating electric energy that powers a light bulb.

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Law of Conservation of Energy Noun

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[law uv kon-ser-vey-shuhn uv en-er-jee]

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Law of Conservation of Energy

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The principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transformed from one form to another.

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Example: This diagram shows a pendulum swinging, illustrating how energy transforms from stored potential energy at the highest point to motion-based kinetic energy at the lowest point.

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Potential Energy Noun

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[puh-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Potential Energy

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The stored energy an object possesses due to its position, state, or chemical composition, ready to be converted into work.

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Example: A rock at the edge of a cliff has stored energy (potential energy) because of its high position. If it falls, this stored energy will be converted into motion.

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Kinetic Energy Noun

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[ki-net-ik en-er-jee]

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Kinetic Energy

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The energy that an object possesses as a result of its motion, dependent on its mass and velocity.

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Example: A ball held high has stored potential energy. As it falls, this stored energy transforms into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion.

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Energy Transformation Noun

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[en-er-jee trans-for-mey-shuhn]

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Energy Transformation

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The process of changing energy from one form into another, such as converting potential energy into kinetic energy.

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Example: This diagram of an electric generator shows mechanical energy from a spinning coil being transformed into electrical energy, which then becomes light and heat in the bulb.

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Gravitational Potential Energy Noun

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[grav-i-tey-shuhn-l puh-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Gravitational Potential Energy

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The energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field, typically its height above a reference point.

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Example: A person standing at the top of stairs has stored energy (gravitational potential energy) because of their high position, which can be released.

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Photosynthesis Noun

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[foh-toh-sin-thuh-sis]

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Photosynthesis

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The process where plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create their own food, converting light into chemical energy.

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Example: This diagram shows a plant using light energy from the sun to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose, a sugar that stores chemical energy.