Different forms of Energy

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Kinetic Energy

Kinetic Energy is the energy a body possesses due to its motion. Kinetic Energy depends on mass and speed of the object. The faster an object moves [higher speed] the greater its kinetic energy. E.G. a flying bullet, a moving car.

Potential Energy

Potential Energy is stored energy. There are different types of Potential Energy such as gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy.

Gravitational Potential energy

Gravitational Potential Energy is the energy stored in an object due to its elevated position. An object has gravitational potential energy if it is above the ground.

Elastic Potential Energy

Elastic Potential Energy is the stored energy possessed by an object when it is being stretched or compressed. An object is said to be elastic if it goes back to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.

Chemical Energy

Chemical Energy is energy that is stored in food,fuels and inside electric cells and released as others forms of energy during chemical reactions. E.G. food

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is the form of energy stored in the nucleus of an atom and released during nuclear reactions such as nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.In nuclear fission , the nuclei of the atoms of heavy elements such as uranium spilt two or more nuclei of lighter elements.During the process, enormous of energy in the forms of heat,light and harmful rays are released.Nuclear reactors use nuclear fission to generate electricity .

In nuclear fusion, the nuclei of the atoms of the light elements,such as hydrogen,combine to form nuclei of slightly heavier elements such as helium. Like nuclear fission, large amounts of energy are released during nuclear fusion . The Sun and the stars are fueled by the nuclear fusion.

Heat Energy

Heat is a form of energy which flows from a region of high temperatures another region of low temperature. Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold matter is.

Light Energy

Light is a form of energy which enables us to see. Objects that can give our light are known as light sources.

Electrical Energy

Electrical Energy is a form of energy made available by the flow electric charges through an electrical conductor. Electrons and Ions are examples of electric charges.

nonrenewable SOURCES OF ENERGY

Biomass

Biomass refers to plant materials , vegetation and wastes from living organisms which are used ads fuels.

Examples are:

1.BIOGAS

2.ALCOHOL

3.WASTE

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels posses chemical properties which can be converted into heat and light when they are burned. examples are:

1. Coal

2.Oil

3.Gas

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RENEWABLE FORMS OF ENERGY

SOLAR ENERGY

The sun is our main source of energy. Plants use light from the sun to produce food through a process called photosynthesis. Human beings and animals then eats this food to live. Human Beings are able to harnass solar energy using:

1.SOLAR PANELS

These use light from the sun and converts to electrical energy which is then stored in batteries

2.SOLAR WATER HEATERS

Use light and heat from the sun to heat up water which then stored in tanks.

WIND ENERGY

When the sun heats up the earth it is unevenly heated. Some air is her.ted more than others. This creates warm and cool regions,because of these differences in temperature winds are formed. When turbines can be used to harness wind energy and convert to electrical energy.