A | B |
energy | The ability to do work or cause change, such as moving an object some distance. |
kinetic energy | Energy that an object has because of its motion. |
potential energy | Energy that is stored and held in readiness |
mechanical energy | Kinetic or potential energy associated with the motion or position of an object. |
chemical energy | The potential energy stored in chemical compounds. |
electrical energy | The energy of moving electric charges. |
thermal energy | The total energy of a substance’s or material’s particles due to their movement or vibration. |
radiant energy | The energy of electromagnetic waves and light. |
nuclear energy | The potential energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. |
energy conversion | The process of changing one form of energy into another. |
renewable energy | Energy that is naturally replaced in a relatively short period of time. |
nonrenewable energy | Energy from a natural resource that is not replaced as it is used. |
fossil fuels | An energy- rich substance (such as coal, oil, petroleum, or natural gas) forms from the remains of organisms. |
solar energy | Energy from the sun. |
wind energy | Energy harnessed through wind turbines from the horizontal movement of air from and area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. |
hydropower | Electricity produced by the kinetic energy of water moving over a waterfall or dam. |
biofuels (biomass) | Fuel made from things that once were alive. |
geothermal energy | Heat energy in Earth’s interior from water or steam that has been heated by magma. |
hydrogen energy | A secondary source of energy or energy carrier. |
secondary source energy | Used to store, move, and deliver energy in an easily usable form. |