Forms of Energy
VocabularyEnergy is the ability to do work.
Mechanical Energy is the energy of motion that does the work. An example of mechanical energy is the wind as it turns a windmill. Heat energy is energy that is pushed into motion by using heat. An example is a fire in your fireplace. Electrical Energy is when electricity creates motion, light or heat. An example of electrical energy is the electric coils on your stove. Light Energy is the form of energy that makes it possible to see things. It is called radiant energy. The Earth gets a lot of its energy from the light of the Sun. Sound is a type of energy made by vibrations. When any object vibrates, it causes movement in the air particles. These particles bump into the particles close to them, which makes them vibrate too causing them to bump into more air particles. This movement, called sound waves, keeps going until they run out of energy. NotesPeople use energy for everything from making a jump shot to sending astronauts in space. Some energy is stored (potential) energy and some is working (kinetic) energy. The food a person eats contains energy. This energy is stored in the body until the person uses it during work or play. While the person is holding still, the energy from the food is stored and has the "potential" to become working energy. Once the person works or plays, the energy is used and becomes "kinetic" energy.
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