​All forms of energy can be described in two general types of energy, kinetic energy and potential energy.

​​Energy is the ability to do work. The unit for work is Joules (J)

Kinetic Energy - The energy of motion.

Kinetic energy increases as mass increases.

Kinetic energy increases as speed increases.

​1. Motion Energy

energy stored in moving objects

Examples:

Wind Race car Soaring ball

Objects that possess motion energy can make things happen: a swinging bat can make a ball soar, a tornado can toss a house

2. Thermal Energy

Energy stored in temperature (how hot or cool something is)

A hot object is one whose atoms and molecules are excited and show rapid movement.

 A cooler object's molecules and atoms will show less movement.

We use Thermal Energy every day!

​3. Electrical Energy

​a type of kinetic energy caused by moving electric charges.

​Examples:

• Batteries (direct current)

• Electrical appliances (toasters, vacuum cleaners, lamps, refrigerators, blenders, computers)

• Cellphones

​Energy carried by light rays

Without light energy, there would be no life on Earth. Energy from the sun warms the earth keeping the temperature suitable for life.

Ways we use light energy:

• Plants use light energy from the sun for photosynthesis

• X-Rays

​Electromagnetic (Light) Energy

​5. Sound energy - energy carried by sound waves

Ways we use sound energy

• sound energy vibrate the bones in our ear allowing us to hear

• sound energy allows us to use ultrasounds.

• Instruments produce sound energy

Potential Energy

stored energy that depends upon the relative position of various parts of a system.

​6. Gravitational energy - energy in objects in a position to fall

​Examples:

1. Rollercoaster at the top of a hill

2. Water at the top of a waterfall

​7. Elastic Energy - energy stores in stretchy objects when they are stretched or springy objects when they are compressed.

Examples:

• Stretched rubber band

• compressed spring

8. Chemical energy - the energy of chemical substances that is released when they undergo a chemical reaction and transform into other substances.

​Examples:

• Food - energy in food allows us to function

• Batteries

• Dynamite

​9. Nuclear Energy

energy is stored in the nucleus of atoms.

This energy is released when the nuclei are combined (fusion) or split apart (fission).

EX: Nuclear power plants split the nuclei of uranium atoms to produce electricity.