Work, Energy & Power: Energy Conversions

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Chemical to kinetic:

Within muscle cells during the metabolism of ATP

The chemical energy binding the ATP molecules together is released as the molecule breaks

This causes the muscles to contract

Potential to kinetic:

When an archer aims a bow and arrow at a target, the bow and the arrow contain potential energy

When the arrow is let go, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy

This diagram shows the conversion of potential energy (before the ball is kicked) to kinetic energy (while the ball is moving in the air) to potential energy (when the ball is motionless at the highest point of its course, before falling down)

Electric to heat and light:

A light bulb produces light by passing current through a wire

This causes the electrical energy to be converted to heat

This then causes the metal to become white hot, thus producing light

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