Types of Energy and Energy Transformation
1. Energy is defined as the ability or capacity to do work.
2. All energy can be classified as either potential (it could do work) or kinetic (it is doing work).
3. Energy comes in 6 main forms. . .Mechanical, Electrical, Thermal (heat), Chemical, Radiant (light),
Nuclear
4. Mechanical Energy is energy of objects motion or position (could be KE or PE)
5. Examples: a pendulum or roller coaster, moving car or human.
● Sound is considered mechanical energy
6. Electrical energy is moving electrons
7. Examples: Electricity from batteries, in power lines, lighting
8. Electromagnetic Energy-energy that travels in electromagnetic waves through vacuums (sometimes
called radiant)
9. Examples: Light, X-Rays, Radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet and infrared radiation
10. Thermal (heat) Energy is made from the internal motion of an object’s atoms and molecules.
11. Example: fire, oven, friction.
12. Chemical Energy is energy stored by chemical bonds in an object.
13. Examples: gasoline , food, coal, wood, candles, batteries.
14. Nuclear Energy is energy stored in the center (nucleus) of an atom.
15. Examples: Fission (breaking apart), Fusion (forming) from the sun.
16. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, Energy transformed be created or destroyed, but be
transformed into other forms of energy.
17. In a closed system, no energy is allowed to enter or leave so you end up with the same amount of energy
that you started with (simulations).
18. An open system is a system in which energy can escape to the surroundings (usually in the form of heat
or sound). You end up with less energy than you started with (real-life).
19. EVERYTIME Energy is transferred from one form to another in an open system some energy is “lost”
or transformed into thermal energy.
Energy Transfer Examples:
Hair Dryer: Electrical Thermal & Mechanical & Sound
Camp Fire: Chemical Thermal & Light (electromagnetic)
Guitar: Mechanical Sound (mechanical)
1. Energy is defined as the ability or capacity to do work.
2. All energy can be classified as either potential (it could do work) or kinetic (it is doing work).
3. Energy comes in 6 main forms. . .Mechanical, Electrical, Thermal (heat), Chemical, Radiant (light),
Nuclear
4. Mechanical Energy is energy of objects motion or position (could be KE or PE)
5. Examples: a pendulum or roller coaster, moving car or human.
● Sound is considered mechanical energy
6. Electrical energy is moving electrons
7. Examples: Electricity from batteries, in power lines, lighting
8. Electromagnetic Energy-energy that travels in electromagnetic waves through vacuums (sometimes
called radiant)
9. Examples: Light, X-Rays, Radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet and infrared radiation
10. Thermal (heat) Energy is made from the internal motion of an object’s atoms and molecules.
11. Example: fire, oven, friction.
12. Chemical Energy is energy stored by chemical bonds in an object.
13. Examples: gasoline , food, coal, wood, candles, batteries.
14. Nuclear Energy is energy stored in the center (nucleus) of an atom.
15. Examples: Fission (breaking apart), Fusion (forming) from the sun.
16. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, Energy transformed be created or destroyed, but be
transformed into other forms of energy.
17. In a closed system, no energy is allowed to enter or leave so you end up with the same amount of energy
that you started with (simulations).
18. An open system is a system in which energy can escape to the surroundings (usually in the form of heat
or sound). You end up with less energy than you started with (real-life).
19. EVERYTIME Energy is transferred from one form to another in an open system some energy is “lost”
or transformed into thermal energy.
Energy Transfer Examples:
Hair Dryer: Electrical Thermal & Mechanical & Sound
Camp Fire: Chemical Thermal & Light (electromagnetic)
Guitar: Mechanical Sound (mechanical)
