Types of Energy
The ability to do work
Energy
The car is going 35 miles per hour.
Speed
A hockey puck sliding on the ice then hitting the side of the stadium.
Electricity that is stationary (in one place).
Static electricity
Circuit with only one pathway of electrical flow.
Series circuit
Energy of motion
Kinetic energy
The herd of bison is traveling 50 kilometers per hour to the West.
Velocity
It required more force to throw a brick than a stuffed animal.
The sum of an object's kinetic and potential energy
Mechanical energy
Circuit with multiple pathways of electrical flow. Used in most buildings.
Parallel circuit
Stored energy
Potential energy
An alligator is swimming down the river at a rate of 2 miles per hour.
Velocity
The change in force required to push a full shopping cart in comparison to an empty shopping cart.
Second Law
Warmer water or air rises and cooler water or air sinks in a constant cycle.
Convection
Energy in the form of vibrations passing through matter
Sound energy
The racecar driver slows his vehicle down to make a turn on the track.
Acceleration
A satellite traveling in orbit around the Earth.
First Law
The transfer of heat that occurs when two objects of different temperatures come into contact.
Conduction
When electrical currents flow through a circuit in only one direction. Hint: This type of current is in battery-powered devices.
Direct Current (DC)
Heat or thermal energy
The eagle is flying at 55 miles per hour then makes a turn in mid-air and increases its speed to 60 miles per hour.
Acceleration
Jumping off a boat where you push on the boat and the boat pushes back on you.
Third Law
Radiation
When electrical currents flow through a circuit changing directions every second. Hint: This type of current is common in buildings.
Alternating Current (AC)