Types Of Energy
by Alexi Olvera
Mechanical Energy
Definition: The form of energy associated with the position or motion of an object
How to find it: Mechanical energy = Potential energy + Kinetic energy
EXAMPLES-
Throwing a Football
When you throw a football it has both potential and kinetic energy. The higher the football is, the greater the potential energy. The faster the football moves, the more kinetic energy it has.
Hammering a Nail into a Wall
When a hammer strikes a nail, mechanical energy is transferred from the hammer to the nail.
Thermal Energy
Definition: The total potential and kinetic energy of the particles in an object
EXAMPLES-
Melting Ice Cream
The heat particles in the air is causing the ice-cream to melt.
Lava
Heat is causing the lava to evenly flow down the cold rocks. Because the particles are moving quickly, it has a large kinetic energy, a large amount of thermal energy.
Electrical Energy
Definition: The energy of electric charge.
EXAMPLES-
Lightning
Electrical charges from the sky collect, forming lightning.
Flashlights
Batteries have electric charges that allow the battery to give power to devices like radios. etc.
Chemical Energy
Definition: potential energy stored in the chemical bonds that hold chemical compounds together.
EXAMPLES-
Foods
Particles in food contain chemical energy. Your body uses this energy after you eat them.
Matches
When the potential energy in the bonds break they create new compounds, in this case being fire.
Nuclear Energy
Definition: type of potential energy that is stored in the nucleus of an atom
EXAMPLES-
The Sun
The sun uses the process of nuclear fusion to release the large amounts of energy, and its a source of nuclear energy.
Nuclear Explosion
Nuclear power/energy is used in the explosion to create the nuclear bomb.
Electromagnetic Energy
Definition: a form of energy that travels in waves.
EXAMPLES-
Sunlight
The suns rays travel in waves
X-Rays
X- rays use waves to see the bones inside the body.