Rollercoaster Physics: Intro to Energy

Learn about the basics of energy below, and take a few notes on your paper.

What is energy?

• Energy is the ability to do work

• Work is using force to move mass over distances.

• So think about it. A really easy example of using energy is moving a heavy box. Work is using your muscles (force) to move the box (weight). And it requires energy to do that. The more work, the more energy required.

Forms of Energy

• Energy can come in different forms, but mainly exists in two types:

  • Stored energy (potential)

  • Working energy (kinetic)

• Hopefully, the other forms of energy sound pretty familiar to you. See the picture below:

Law of Conservation of Energy

• This law states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed.

• Rather, it can only be transformed from one form to another.

• For example, when you clap your hands, you are using energy form your body to move your hands, transforming some of that kinetic energy into sound energy and thermal (heat) energy.

Move on to "Potential and Kinetic Energy"