| Everything in the universe changes through the movement and transformation of energy. Work is a form of energy. Potential energy is energy of position and kinetic energy is energy of motion. Power is the rate at which work is done. To study how energy moves we often define systems to include objects that interact. The law of energy conservation says the total energy of a closed system remains constant. Energy is constantly being transformed between many forms, such as mechanical energy (potential and kinetic), chemical energy, radiant energy, thermal energy, and electrical energy. Light, heat, and electricity are macroscopic forms of energy that we can experience directly. However, the explanation for what causes light, heat, or electricity must be found in the microscopic structure of matter and energy on the scale of atoms and smaller.
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| work, joule (J), kinetic energy, potential energy, gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, spring constant, reference frame, system, closed system, open system, law of conservation of energy, work-energy theorem, friction, efficiency, law of conservation of momentum, inelastic collision, elastic collision, power, watt (W), ampere (A), volt (V), electric current, radiant energy, intensity, light, horsepower (hp), temperature, Celsius scale, Fahrenheit scale, heat, specific heat, thermal energy, renewable energy, phase change, melting point, boiling point, condensation, Brownian motion, gas, liquid, solid, phases of matter, calorie (c), Calorie (C) |
