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1. Energy

Energy. Forms of energy

Energy is the capacity of a body to effect a change in itself or its environment. The term comes from the Greek word  enérgeia, meaning activity . 

It is measured in Joules (J) in the international system (SI). Other units are:

  • Calorie: 1 cal = 4.18 J
  • kilowatt hour: 1 kWh = 3.6 10 6 J

Energy can be presented in different forms:

Kinetic energy

It is the energy that bodies that are in  motion possess .

Potential energy

It is the energy that a body has due to its position . For example, a body located at a certain height above the ground or a compressed or stretched spring have this type of energy.

Mechanical energy

It is the sum of the kinetic and potential energy of a body.

Chemical energy

It is produced or consumed in chemical reactions due to the breaking or formation of bonds between atoms.

Nuclear power

It occurs in reactions in which particles of the nucleus of an atom are separated (fission) or joined (fusion) , releasing a large amount of energy. Fission reactions are those that occur in nuclear power plants, and fusion reactions are those related to the energy of hydrogen.

Thermal energy

It is the energy due to the degree of agitation or kinetic energy of the particles of a body . It is related to temperature .

Sound energy

It is the energy transmitted by sound waves through the vibrations of the particles of the medium through which they propagate.

Electrical energy

          

It is the energy that the body has due to the presence of electrical charges or currents .

Electromagnetic energy and light energy

Electromagnetic energy is transported by electromagnetic waves such as microwaves, radio, infrared, ultraviolet or X-rays. Light energy is a type of electromagnetic energy that has a wavelength that our eye can capture.

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Energy transforms

Energy can be transformed from one of its forms to another, but it will always be conserved; it cannot be created or destroyed.

For example, when the petrol we put in our car burns, the chemical energy of its bonds is transformed into mechanical energy in the engine, which in turn transmits this movement to the wheels. In this way, it is transformed into the kinetic energy that the car has when it moves. On the other hand, part of this energy is lost in the form of thermal energy due to the friction of the wheels with the ground. In addition, part of the energy provided by the petrol is converted into electrical energy that powers the lights or the car radio, and there it is transformed, in turn, into light or sound energy.



Drop-down activity

Read and complete with the type of energy.

* Accessibility : If you do the exercise guided by the audio, you will have to fill in the blank each time you hear the word energy.

When we burn charcoal to make a barbecue we are transforming energy . In turn, we use this energy to cook food, thus transforming it into energy .

To go down a slide, you first have to climb the stairs, using the energy your body has obtained from what you had for a snack that afternoon. As you go up, you acquire energy that will be transformed into energy when you launch yourself.

When you iron clothes you are transforming energy .

During photosynthesis, plants transform energy .

A speaker transforms energy into energy .

A wind generator transforms the energy of the air into energy .

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Expansion. Experience

Experiment with the simulator by clicking on "systems" and choosing the appropriate energy type for each case in the activity. After answering each question, click on the "energy symbols" button in the simulator to see if you got it right.

*Accessibility: If you listen to the audio, you will have to fill in the blank each time you hear the word energy.

1. If you connect the child pedaling on the bicycle to the generator and the water that is heated, the energy that the child obtains from food is transformed into energy of the wheels. By connecting the wheels to the generator, the energy of the wheels is transformed into energy . This is used in the thermos to heat the water, becoming energy. The child also loses part of his energy in the form of energy .

2. If you connect the sun, the solar panel and the fan, energy is transformed into energy and this has energy .

3. If you connect the water tap, the generator and the light bulb, the energy of the water is transformed into energy during its fall and in the blades of the generator. Then, it is transformed into energy in the generator, and, afterwards, into energy in the light bulb, also losing part as energy .

4. If you connect the kettle to the generator and the light bulb, energy is transformed into energy, this into  energy and this into energy .

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Activity to learn to select information

This activity is about selecting the information that you feel is important to memorize and recording yourself reading it with your cell phone. Repeat this activity for all sections of the unit. When you are done, use an audio editing application to stitch all the recordings together. When you are in the car, or out for a walk, listen to it, and it will really help you memorize.

Notice that the texts have parts marked with color, bold or underlined to help you select the information. In this case, you could record the following:

Kinetic energy: motion.
Potential energy: position relative to its equilibrium position.
Mechanical energy: sum of the kinetic and potential energy of a body.
Chemical energy: chemical reactions due to the breaking or formation of bonds between atoms.
Nuclear energy: reactions in which particles of the nucleus of the atom are separated (fission) or united (fusion).
Thermal energy: due to the degree of agitation or kinetic energy of the particles of a body. It is related to temperature.
Sound energy: sound waves

Electrical energy: due to the presence of electric charges or currents.

Electromagnetic energy: electromagnetic waves such as microwaves, radio, infrared, ultraviolet or X-rays. Light energy is a type of electromagnetic energy.

Energy can be transformed from one form to another, but it will always be conserved, it can neither be created nor destroyed.

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