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Forms of Energy
Before we look at energy transformation, let's look at some different forms of energy. Now, we've already discussed the main two types: kinetic energyenergy of motion and potential energyenergy of position but these two types have many different varieties and forms including:
- Electrical energy – the energy of electrons flowing
- Nuclear energy – energy found in the nucleus of an atom
- Mechanical energy – the total amount of kinetic and potential energy of objects in a system
- Chemical energy – energy stored in chemical bonds
- Thermal energy – energy due to the vibration of particles (heat energy)
- Gravitational energy – energy of an object based on its position above ground
- Sound Energy – energy that moves through substances by compressions/sound waves
- Light Energy – electromagnetic energy that travels in waves
You can probably think of examples of each of these types of energies. We have discussed mechanical as well as gravitational in previous units and lessons. Go to the next tab to examine thermal energy in more detail.