Energy is the ability to do WORK.

WORK is to make something MOVE by applying FORCE to it.

There are 7 Forms of Energy that can cause things to MOVE, or do

WORK.

The 7 Forms of Energy can be remembered using this

acronym:

ACHELMS

ATOMIC ENERGY is the energy created when the NUCLEUS of ATOMS join together or split apart.

ACHELMS

It is also the energy used in nuclear bombs and nuclear

power plants.

• Burning chemicals in fuel to make heat• Using chemicals in batteries to

operate a toy • Digestion of chemicals in food to give

things energy

ACHELMSCHEMICAL ENERGY

the energy stored in a substance that is released

during a chemical reaction.

HEAT ENERGY the energy of the particles (atoms) that make up an object. The

faster the particles move the more heat/THERMAL energy

that is created.

ACHELMSHEAT

ELECTRICAL ENERGY the energy of moving ELECTRONS.

Electrons moving through the wires of radios, TVs, lights and

all electrical appliances are examples of electrical energy.

ACHELMS

LIGHT ENERGY the energy caused by the

vibration of electrically charged

particles. Light/radiant energy is often visible like

sunlight, starlight and electrical lights.

ACHELMSSTARS

MECHANICAL ENERGY the energy of MOVING objects. Any

MOTION or MOVING object has mechanical energy

ACHELMS

• riding a bike

• swinging a hammer

• a spinning windmill

SOUND ENERGY the energy from the vibration of an object. A

guitar string vibrates to make sound. Vocal chords vibrate

make sound. These vibrations cause the air particles to

vibrate.

ACHELMS

ALL 7 Forms of Energy can be either

POTENTIAL OR KINETIC

A guitar string being pulled back is potential

sound energy. When the guitar string is

released, it is changed to kinetic sound

energy.

A CHANGE in one type of energy to another is

called anENERGY CONVERSION