Question | Answer |
energy | the ability to cause change |
kinetic energy | energy of motion |
potential energy | stored energy |
mechanical energy | energy that moves objects |
sound energy | results from the vibration of particles in a solid, liquid or gas |
chemical energy | energy that is stored in the chemical composition of matter |
thermal energy | total amount of energy from the movement of particles in matter (causes heat) |
electromagnetic energy | energy transmitted through space in the form of electromagnetic waves (visible light, x-rays, microwaves) |
nuclear energy | energy from the center (nucleus) of an atom |
law of conservation of energy | energy cannot be created or destroyed |
energy efficiency | measurement of usable energy after an energy conversion |
kinetic theory of matter | all the particles that make up matter are always in motion |
temperature | measure of the average kinetic energy |
thermal expansion | solids, liquids, and gases expand when their temperature increases |
heat | flow of energy from an object at a warmer temperature to a cooler temperature |
specific heat | the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celcius |
conduction | the process that moves energy from one object to another when they are touching physically |
conductor | material that transfers energy easily (metals) |
insulator | material that does NOT transfer heat easily (foam, plastic, wood, etc.) |
convection | the process by which cooler and denser air or liquid sinks, pushing the warmer up |
radiation | energy that travels as electromagnetic waves, which include visible light, microwaves, and infrared light (Sun is most significant source) |