2a. Forms of Energy
The term energy is part of our everyday vocabulary. We might notice our students have a lot of energy one day or have a class discussion about how energy is needed for the lightbulbs in our classroom to light up. While we can describe what energy does, it’s a bit harder to describe what energy is.
Scientifically, energy is defined as the capacity to do work. The capacity to do work exists in many different forms. Students, for example, use chemical energy from food as fuel to do work. Classroom lights use electrical energy to produce light.
The different forms of energy are sorted into two groups: potential and kinetic. Potential energy is stored energy while kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Tap/click the flipcards below to learn more about different types of kinetic and potential energy.
Potential Energy
Chemical Energy
Energy stored in bonds of atoms and molecules. Examples include batteries, food, and fuels such as coal or natural gas.
Nuclear Energy
Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. Large amounts of energy are released when a nucleus is split or fused together.
Mechanical Energy
Energy stored in objects under tension. Examples include stretched rubber bands or compressed springs.
Gravitational Energy
Energy stored in an object that could fall, with energy increasing as the height and mass of the object increase. Examples include a book on a shelf or boulder balanced on a mountainside.
Kinetic Energy
Radiant Energy
Electromagnetic energy that travels in waves. Examples include visible light, x-rays, gamma rays, and radio waves.
Motion Energy
The energy of moving objects. The faster objects move, the more motion energy they have. Running water and wind are types of motion energy.
Electrical Energy
Energy carried by tiny charged particles called electrons. Electricity is a stream of moving electrical charge. Examples include lightning and the electricity used in homes and businesses.
Thermal Energy
Also known as heat, thermal energy comes from the movement of atoms & molecules. When atoms/molecules move quickly, heat (and temperature) increase.
