Energy is said to be the ability to do work.That means the ability to make something happen.

By “happen” it means to make things move or change condition.

Without energy, nothing would ever happen.Energy is the ultimate agent of change.

Types of Energy

• There are two types of energy:

• Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy

Potential Energy

• Stored energy and the energy of position• This is energy that has the ability to change or

do work according to its position or what is stored within it.

Gravitational Potential EnergyGravitational energy is stored in an object’s height and mass. The higher and heavier the object, the more gravitational energy is stored.

Elastic Potential Energy

• This is energy stored in objects by tension.• Compressed springs and stretched rubber

bands are examples of elastic potential energy.

Nuclear Potential Energy

• This energy is stored in the nucleus of an atom-the energy that holds the nucleus together.

• Large amounts of energy can be released when the nuclei are combined or split apart.

Chemical Potential Energy

• Energy that is stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.

• The chemical energy is released when chemical reactions occur.

• Batteries, biomass, natural gas and coal are examples of stored chemical energy.

Kinetic Energy

• Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.• It is the ability to cause change or do work

according to its motion.

Mechanical Energy• This is the energy stored in the

movement of objects. • The faster they move and the move

mass they have, the more mechanical energy there is.

• This is the sum of potential and kinetic energy in a system of objects.

Electrical Energy• Electrical energy is the energy carried by

moving electrons. • We generate electrical energy when we

succeed to cause electrons to move from one atom to the other with the use of magnetic forces.

Sound Energy

• Sound is the movement of energy through a substance. It cannot travel in a vacuum.

• Sound is produced when a force causes an object or substance to vibrate.

Radiant Energy (Electromagnetic)• This energy is sometimes called light energy

although it is not always visible.• This energy travels in transverse waves and

contains visible light, x-rays, gamma rays and radio waves.

• It can travel through a vacuum.

Thermal Energy• This is the vibration and movement of the

atoms and molecules within substances.• It is the sum of kinetic and potential energy of

the particles that make up the substance.• The speed of the particles determines the

thermal energy.