CHAPTER 15 Study Guide

15.1 Energy and Its Forms

Key Concepts

• Work is the transfer of energy.

• The kinetic energy of any moving object depends on its mass and speed.

• An object's gravitational potential energy depends on its mass, its height, and the acceleration due to gravity.

• The major forms of energy are mechanical energy, thermal energy, chemical energy, electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, and nuclear energy.

Vocabulary

energy, p. 447

kinetic energy, p. 447

potential energy, p. 448

gravitational potential energy, p. 449

elastic potential energy, p. 450

mechanical energy, p. 450

thermal energy, p. 451

chemical energy, p. 451

electrical energy, p. 452

electromagnetic energy, p. 452

nuclear energy, p. 452

15.2 Energy Conversion and Conservation

Key Concepts

• Energy can be converted from one form to another.

• The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed.

• The gravitational potential energy of an object is converted to the kinetic energy of motion as the object falls.

• Einstein's equation shows that energy and mass are equivalent, and can be converted into each other.

Vocabulary

energy conversion, p. 454

15.3 Energy Resources

Key Concepts

• Nonrenewable energy resources include oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium.

• Renewable energy resources include hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, wind, biomass, and, possibly in the future, nuclear fusion.

• Energy resources can be conserved by reducing our energy needs and by increasing the efficiency of energy use.

Vocabulary

nonrenewable energy resources, p. 462

fossil fuels, p. 462

renewable energy resources, p. 463

hydroelectric energy, p. 463

solar energy, p. 464

geothermal energy, p. 464

biomass energy, p. 464

energy conservation, p. 466

Thinking Visually

Comparing and Contrasting Copy the partially completed table below. Complete it to compare the major forms of energy.

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