PHYSICS: INTRODUCTION TO BASIC CONCEPTS
ENERGY
Energy is the capacity to do work or cause change. It exists in various forms and can be transferred between
objects or transformed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed. This is known as the Law
of Conservation of Energy.
Forms of Energy:
1. Kinetic Energy (KE):
oThe energy of motion.
oAny object that is moving has kinetic energy.
oFormula:
o
oWhere:
m = mass of the object (in kg)
v = velocity of the object (in m/s)
2. Potential Energy (PE):
oThe energy stored in an object due to its position or state.
oGravitational Potential Energy is the most common form, related to an object’s height above the
ground.
oFormula (for gravitational potential energy): PE= mgh
o Where:
m = mass of the object (in kg)
g = acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)
h = height above the ground (in meters)
3. Mechanical Energy:
oThe sum of kinetic and potential energy in a system.
oFormula: ME=KE+PE
4. Thermal Energy:
oThe energy of an object due to the random motion of its molecules or atoms. It is related to
temperature.
5. Chemical Energy:
oThe energy stored in the bonds of molecules and compounds. This energy can be released during
chemical reactions.
6. Nuclear Energy:
oThe energy stored in the nucleus of an atom, released during nuclear reactions such as fusion
and fission.
7. Electrical Energy:
oThe energy associated with the movement of electric charges.
8. Sound Energy:
oThe energy carried by sound waves, which are created by vibrating objects and propagated
through a medium (such as air or water).
9. Light (Radiant) Energy:
oThe energy carried by electromagnetic waves, such as visible light, radio waves, and X-rays.
