Energy Study Guide Answer Key
1. Energy is the ability to do work or cause change and occurs in many forms.
2. The two main types of energy are potential energy and kinetic energy.
3. Define Potential Energy: Potential energy is stored energy or energy at rest. Potential energy can be increased or decreased due to position or condition.
4. Which skier (A, B, or C) has more potential energy in the picture below? Skier C has the most potential energy because he/she has the ability to fall further.
5. Define Kinetic Energy: Kinetic energy is energy of motion or movement. Anything in motion has kinetic energy. Kinetic energy can be increased or decreased due to potential energy increasing or decreasing.
6. The amount of kinetic energy a moving object has depends on its mass and its speed.
7. In each of the following pairs, CIRCLE which would have more kinetic energy rolling down a hill: a. boulder b. bowling ball c. Hummer d. WHY did you choose the ones you circled? These objects have more mass so they will have more kinetic energy rolling down a hill.
8. In the picture below, when does the swinger have the most potential energy? The swinger has the most potential energy at the A position.
When does the swinger have the most kinetic energy? The swinger has the most potential energy at
the B position.
When does the swinger switch from potential to kinetic energy? The swinger switches from potential to kinetic energy as she reaches the top of her swing (potential to kinetic) and the bottom of her swing
(kinetic to potential).
9. If an object has more potential energy, how does this affect that object’s kinetic energy? If an object’s potential energy increases, the object’s kinetic energy will also increase.
FORMS OF ENERGY
10.What is the definition of Sound energy? Sound energy is the movement of sound waves caused by vibrations.
Example(s) of sound energy: Playing the guitar, violin, singing, etc.
11. What is the definition of Chemical energy? Chemical energy is stored in atoms and molecules and released in chemical reactions that usually produce heat.

Example(s) chemical energy: batteries, biomass, coal, petroleum.
12.What is the definition of Radiant energy? Radiant energy is light energy that travels through electromagnetic waves.
Example of radiant energy: the sun, a flashlight, light bulbs, etc.
13. What is the definition of Electrical energy? Electrical energy is the movement of electrons through conductors that transfers from potential (stored) energy to kinetic (motion) energy typically when
plugged into an electrical outlet. Electrical energy gives us electricity.
Example of electrical energy: a hair dryer, a toaster, a vacuum, etc.
14. What is the definition of Atomic energy? Atomic energy is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.
The two ways to release atomic energy are through fusion (combining atoms to make a new atom) and fission (splitting an atom into two separate atoms).
Example of atomic energy: nuclear power plants, turbines, etc.
15. What is the definition of Mechanical energy? Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy in an object that is used to do work. In other words, it is energy in an object due to its motion or position, or both.
Example of mechanical energy: pushing open a door (human has the potential energy to do work and the kinetic energy is the actual pushing of the door).
16. What is the definition of Heat energy? Heat energy is energy that deals with temperature. Forms of
heat energy include conduction, convection, and radiation.
Example of heat energy: a pot sitting on a hot burner, macaroni rising and falling in a pot of boiling water, lying out in the sun to get a tan
Write the form(s) of energy shown in the pictures below.
17. Mechanical Energy
18. Electrical Energy
19. Sound Energy (also mechanical energy if you are looking at the drummer)
20. Atomic Energy
21. Heat Energy
22. Chemical Energy
24. The Law of Conservation of Energy states: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be transformed.