Forms of Energy & Energy Transformation Notes

Energy The ability to do work or cause changeThe majority of energy on Earth originates from the SunThere are many differentforms of energyMR CENTS Strategy:M = MechanicalR = RadiantC = ChemicalE = ElectricalN = NuclearT = ThermalS = Sound Mechanical Energy The energy in moving objectsEnergy of motion or positionCan be potential energy or kinetic energy Radiant Energy Energy of light; also referred to as light energy or electromagnetic energyTravels in wavesTravels in a straight path from one place to another Chemical Energy Energy stored in the bonds of moleculesInvolved when chemical reactions take placeA form of potential energy Electrical Energy The energy of moving electrons or electric chargesElectricity is used by many different objects in our daily livesElectricity was first used in homes in the late 1800s Nuclear Energy The energy locked in the nucleus of an atomNuclear Fission – the process of splitting an atomNuclear Fusion – two or more atoms violently joined together to make a larger atom Thermal Energy The energy of heatParticles of hot objects move faster than the particles of cooler objectsHot = more thermal energy; Cold = less thermal energy Sound Energy The energy from vibrations in matterSound can travel through solids, liquids, and gasesSound must have matter to travel through Energy Transformations The change of energy from one form to anotherAll forms of energy and energy transformations can be traced back to the energy from the SunEnergy transformations constantly occur around usEnergy is measured in units called Joules (J)Example – A rollercoaster converts potential energy into kinetic energy as it moves down a hill Law of Conservation of Energy Energy cannot be created or destroyedEnergy can be transformed into other forms of energyGravity, friction, air resistance, and other forces are often involved in energy transformationsExample – Energy is not lost while bowling. Energy is simply transferred from the ball to the pins. Example 1 - Hair Dryer A hair dryer plugs into an outlet and uses electrical energyElectrical energy is transformed into thermal energy and used to heat a wire coilA small motor uses mechanical energy to move the air out of the hair dryer; the motor also generates sound energy as it works Example 2 - Campfire A campfire uses chemical energy stored within woodChemical energy is transformed into thermal energy and radiant (light) energy from the flame that is produced Example 3 - Nuclear Power Plant Nuclear fission (splitting an atom’s nucleus) produces thermal energywhich changes water into steamThe steam is used to produce mechanical energy to spin a turbineMechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by a generator Example 4 - Guitar A guitar requires mechanical energy from a person’s hand to run across the strings of the guitarMechanical energy is transformed into sound energy as the strings of the guitar begin to vibrate Example 5 - Solar Panels Solarpanels use radiant (light) energy from from the SunRadiant energy is collected by the solar panels and converted into electrical energySolar panels will even generateelectricity on a cloudy day