FINALS Gravitational potential energy- the potential energy a
physical object with mass has in relation to another
4TH EXAM
massive object due to gravity.
Absolute zero - the lowest temperature possible. At a Heat- the quantity of energy stored or transferred by
temperature of absolute zero there is no motion and no thermal vibrations of molecules
heat. Absolute zero occurs at a temperature of 0 Isolated system- a system that cannot exchange either
degrees Kelvin, or -273.15 degrees Celsius, or at -460 matter or energy with its surroundings
degrees Fahrenheit. Kinetic energy the energy an object possesses due to its
Chemical energy - The energy stored in the chemical motion
bonds of a substance Mechanical energy- the sum of kinetic and potential
Closed system - a system that can exchange only energy energy in an object that is used to do work. In other
with its surroundings, not matter. words, it is energy in an object due to its motion or
Conduction - the transfer of heat energy through matter position, or both.
from particle to particle; most effective in solids Nuclear energy- comes from splitting atoms in a reactor
Convection - the transfer of heat energy in gases or to heat water into steam, turn a turbine and generate
liquids due to density differences electricity.
Elastic potential energy - potential energy stored as a Open system- A type of system that can exchange both
result of deformation of an elastic object, such as the energy and matter with its surroundings
stretching of a spring Potential energy- the energy held by an object because
Electromagnetic energy - the type of energy which of its position relative to other objects, stresses within
comes from electromagnetic waves itself, its electric charge, or other factors.
Endothermic reaction - any process which requires or Surroundings the rest of the universe that interacts with
absorbs energy from its surroundings, usually in the the system
form of heat. System the part of the universe being studied
Exothermic reaction - a process or reaction that Temperature the average vibrational energy of all
releases energy from the system to its surroundings, molecules within the system; the degree or intensity of
usually in the form of heat, but also in a form of light, heat present in a substance or object, especially as
electricity, or sound. expressed according to a comparative scale and shown
Energy - the quantitative property that must be by a thermometer or perceived by touch.
transferred to an object in order to perform work on, or Work a force applied to an object over a certain
to heat, the object. Energy is a conserved quantity; the distance
law of conservation of energy states that energy can be TOPIC 4
converted in form, but not created or destroyed. Energy- s one of the most fundamental and a universal
Entropy - a thermodynamic quantity representing the concept of physical science for everything that happens
unavailability of a system's thermal energy for in the world involves energy.
conversion into mechanical work, often interpreted as There were three broad categories of energy that we
the degree of disorder or randomness in the system. consume every day:
Fission - a process in nuclear physics in which the
First, the food we eat to keep our bodies going-
nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller
this comes from plants and animals in which our
nuclei as fission products, and usually some byproduct
stomach digest to produce a sugary substance
particles.
glucose where the blood transports around our
Fusion- a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei
bodies to power our muscles.
are combined to form
Second, the energy we use in our homes that
one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic
comes from the coal, gas, and oil.
particles. The difference in mass between the reactants
Lastly, the fuel we put in our vehicle mostly
and products is manifested as either the release or
came from the oil. But all of this energy was
absorption of energy.
originated from a giant fireball called ‘sun’
which provides 99% of energy we use on Earth.
