Infinite Potential: Critical Current

Mission 1

Defining Energy

ENERGY• Energy is defined as “the ability to do work.” it is the ability to move

an object using a force.

Potential Energy• Potential Energy (PE) is stored energy. It is energy that is not yet in

motion. It does, however, have the ability to be transformed into kinetic energy. By contrast, kinetic energy (KE) is the energy of motion.

Forms of Potential Energy

• Gravitational potential energy is stored energy that depends on three things: the mass of an object, the height or potential falling distance of that object, and the acceleration of the object due to gravity.

PE = (75kg) (9.8 m/s/s)(4m) =2940 J

Forms of Potential Energy• Elastic- Potential energy due to shape of an object such as a stretched

rubber band, bouncing ball or a bow and arrow.

Forms of Potential Energy

• Magnetic potential energy attraction or repulsion as a result of the magnetic potential energy stored in magnets.

Forms of Potential Energy• Electrostatic rises from the attraction and repulsion of electrical

charges and occurs when certain materials (such as a balloon and a silk cloth) are brought together.

Forms of Potential Energy• Chemical potential energy is energy stored within the bonds of a

substance such as gasoline in a car, or baking soda and vinegar.

Forms of Potential Energy• In any chemical reaction, Conservation of Mass is maintained.

Although bonds are broken and new substances are formed, the total amount of matter does not change.

Forms of Potential Energy• Nuclear potential energy is the energy stored in subatomic particles.

The atom's nucleus contains most of this energy. This energy can be released by either splitting or fusing atoms through the processes of fission and fusion. In these reactions, some mass is transformed into energy.

Forms of Kinetic Energy • Mechanical- The energy of an object in motion is called mechanical

energy. The amount of mechanical energy depends upon two things—mass and velocity.

Forms of Kinetic Energy • The larger the mass or greater the velocity, the more mechanical

kinetic energy possessed by the object in motion. E.G. protons associated with coronal mass ejections.

Forms of Kinetic Energy • Thermal energy is the total energy within a substance. As thermal

energy in a substance is increased, the particles vibrate faster, giving them the energy to move apart. http://archive.fossweb.com/modulesMS/kit_multimedia/ChemicalInteractions/molecules/particles.html

Forms of Kinetic Energy • When we measure a substance’s temperature, we are measuring the

concentration of thermal energy.

Forms of Kinetic Energy • Electrical energy is kinetic energy that results from the movement of

charges like in the electrical wires running through your home.

Forms of Kinetic Energy • Sound energy- kinetic energy as vibrations in the air causing sound.

Forms of Kinetic Energy • Electromagnetic energy travels as waves and does not require a

medium through which to travel. This form of energy can travel through the vacuum of space, and has electrical and magnetic properties.

Forms of Kinetic Energy • In a vacuum, electromagnetic waves move at the speed of light.

Sunlight is an example of electromagnetic energy.

• The sun is the primary source of most energy in our solar system. It heats Earth, provides energy for growing plants, and provides most of the visible light we use to see

• Law of Conservation of Energy- energy is neither created nor destroyed, it can only change form e.g. gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy.

Energy, Work and Power

• Work is a force applied over a distance. • A joule is the basic unit for energy or work.

Energy, Work and Power

• Power is the rate at which work is performed, how fast work is being done. Power is measured in terms of watts (W). One watt equals one joule per second.

Waves• Waves• Mechanical Waves• Electromagnetic Waves• Compression Waves Compressions rarefactionsTransverse wavesCrestsTroughsAmplitudeWavelengthFrequency Formation of a tsunami

• A system is a set of components and processes related by energy transformations and transfers.

• Energy transfers take place when energy stays in the same form but is passed between different objects. (e.g. dominoes)

• Energy transformations occur in a system when energy changes into different forms. Energy transformations can occur within an object, or between objects. Think about the engine in a car.

• The law of conservation of energy states that energy is neither created nor destroyed within a system; it is only transferred or transformed.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

• Waves are the progressive disturbances that transfer energy from one place to another.

• Mechanical waves, such as sound or tsunamis, must travel through a medium such as air or water. When there is no medium, like in space, mechanical waves cannot exist.• http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7AMJdq0Gw

• Mechanical waves travel at different speeds as they move through solids, liquids, or gases.

• Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium through which to travel. These waves can exist in space. When electromagnetic waves travel in space, they travel at or near the speed of light, which is about 300,000 km/s (186,000 mi/s) in a vacuum.

• Compression waves vibrate the medium back and forth in the same direction that the wave travels.

• The areas that are squashed together are called compressions. The low density region of a mechanical compression wave where the medium is being stretched is called rarefaction.

• Transverse waves move at right angles, or perpendicularly, to the direction the energy travels.

• Crests are the high points of the wave, and troughs are the low points between crests. The height of each crest or the depth of each trough from the center is called the amplitude.

• The distance from crest to crest or trough to trough in a transverse wave is called the wavelength.

• Frequency is the number of wave crests that passed by you in a given amount of time.• http://

zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/waves/partsOfAWave/waveParts.htm

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2vkwy2vdP4

Formation of a tsunami:

• http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&rlz=1T4MXGB_enUS571US572&biw=1024&bih=527&tbm=isch&tbnid=hcSuR-r1scdxsM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4Xebwzb3dDE&docid=Hr_A6rEip8vJvM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F4Xebwzb3dDE%2Fhqdefault.jpg&w=480&h=360&ei=Pq_iUqzOM4-rkQfpyoCYBg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=1014&page=2&start=8&ndsp=12&ved=0CHYQrQMwCQ

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2taJExhV6g• Start at 1:00• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0p_6G5GIeo