A Study of Energy

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Focus Question: What is the difference between matter and energy?

Everything in our world is categorized as either matter or energy. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. For example, a desk, chair or computer are considered matter. They have mass, or wieght, and take up space. Energy is the ability to do work. Examples of energy are the wind blowing, the sun shining, and a car moving. Energy also causes matter to change. This means that when the sun shines (energy), a flower grows (changes matter).

The structure, or what matter is made up of, is very interesting. Matter is made up of atoms. Atoms are the smallest basic unit of matter. This means that if you took apart a marker and broke it inot little pieces, the smallest piece that you would have is an atom. Atoms can only be seen with a high powered microscope.

There are several types of energy that we have on Earth. They include: 1. Chemical energy, which is stored in matter (bateries, food, gasoline, wood, and plants); electrical energy, which is energy that is made up of electrically charged particles; 3. wave energy, such as sound, light (radiant), solar, and heat (thermal); 4. nuclear energy, which is stored in the nucleus of an atom; and mechanical energy, which is energy an object has due to its motion, position, or condition.

Energy can either be potential or kinetic. Potential energy is energy that is stored and ready to work. An example of kinetic energy is a car sitting at the top of a hill waiting to go down. Kinetic energy is enegy in use. When the car begins to roll down the hill, the potential energy it had at the top is now transformed (changes) to kinetic energy because energy is in use.

Although we cannot see energy, we can see what energy does. Energy causes a change in matter. When this happens, energy changes from one form to another. This is called an "energy transformation", other wise known as The Law of Conservation of Energy". Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it simply changes from one form to another. When we put on the lights in the room, mechanical energy (pushing the switch) transforms to electrical energy (engery that travels through an electrical charge) to light or radiant energy (the light turns on).

Energy is a precious thing in our world. We will learn more about energy conservation (how to save energy), and explore ideas for the future.