Chapter 13
Energy and Energy Resources
Mr. Polard
Sixth Grade Physical Science
Section 1 – What is Energy?
Section 1 – Vocabulary
 Energy: the ability to cause change (page 374)

 Kinetic Energy: energy an object has due to its motion (page 375)
 Potential Energy: energy stored in an object due to its position (page
376)
 Thermal Energy: the sum of the kinetic and potential energy of the
particles in a material (page 376 & 437)
 Chemical Energy: energy stored in chemical bonds (page 377)
 Radiant Energy: energy carried by an electromagnetic wave (page 377
& 524)
 Electrical Energy: energy carried by electric current (page 378)
 Nuclear Energy: energy contained in atomic nuclei (page 37)
Section 1 - Notes
A. Energy is the ability to cause change.
B. Energy from motion is kinetic energy.
1. Kinetic energy increases as an object moves faster.
2. Kinetic energy increases as the mass of an object increases.
C. Energy stored in an object due to its position is potential
energy.
D. Energy comes in different forms.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Energy that increases as temperature increases is thermal
energy.
Chemical energy – energy stored in chemical bonds
Radiant energy – light energy
Energy from electricity is electrical energy
The nucleus of an atom contains nuclear energy
Section 2 – Energy
Transformations
Section 2 – Vocabulary
 Law of Conservation of Energy: states that energy can
change its form but is never created or destroyed (page
380)
 Generator: device that uses a magnetic field to turn kinetic
energy into electrical energy (page 384 & 626)
 Turbine: set of steam-powered fan blades that spins a
generator at a power plant (page 384)
Section 2 - Notes
A. Energy is constantly changing from one form to another.
B. Law of conservation of energy – energy is never created
or destroyed; it merely changes form
C. Energy can be transferred from kinetic to potential energy
and back to kinetic.
D. Machines transform energy from one form to another.
A. Chemical energy can be transferred to kinetic, radiant,
thermal, or electrical energy.
B. Electrical energy can be transformed to kinetic, chemical,
electrical, or thermal energy.
C. Unlike other forms of energy, thermal energy is not easy to
store.
E. A turbine’s kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy
by a generator at a power plant.
Section 3 – Sources of Energy
Section 3 – Vocabulary
 Nonrenewable Resource : energy resource that is used up much faster
than it can be replaced (page 388)
 Renewable Resource : energy resource that is replenished continually
(page 390)
 Alternative Resource : new renewable or inexhaustible energy source;
includes solar energy, wind and geothermal energy (page 391)
 Inexhaustible Resource : energy source that can’t be used up by
humans (page 391)
 Photovoltaic: device that transforms radiant energy directly into
electrical energy (page 392)
Section 3 - Notes
A. Energy comes from either the Sun or from radioactive
atoms in the Earth.
B. Fossil fuels include oil, natural gas, and coal.
1.
Fossil fuels contain chemical energy from the Sun’s radiant
energy via photosynthesis.
2. Nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels are used up
faster than they can be replaced.
C. Nuclear energy comes from the nuclei of uranium atoms.
D. Hydroelectricity from the potential energy of water is a
renewable resource.
E. Alternative resources of energy may be safer for people
and the environment
1.
Solar energy can be captured in thermal collectors or
photovoltaic collectors
Section 3 - Notes
2. Geothermal energy – thermal energy contained in hot magma
3. Windmills can generate electricity without polluting the
environment.
F. Conserving energy will help prevent energy shortages and
allow fossil fuels to last longer.