Renewable Energy World

What is energy?

Energy is the ability to do work. We use different forms of energy for different types of work: MECHANICAL ENERGY moves objects from one place to another. You use mechanical energy when you throw a ball. ELECTRICAL ENERGY comes from the movement of electrons through a conductor, such as a copper wire. (Electrons are parts of atoms , the tiny particles that make up every object on Earth.) Lightning is a natural form of electrical energy. RADIANT ENERGY moves in waves through space. Light, X-rays and radio waves are forms of radiant energy. CHEMICAL ENERGY is stored in the chemical bonds that hold together atoms and molecules . A molecule is a particle formed from two or more atoms bonded together. Digestion releases chemical energy stored in food. The burning of fuels like wood, coal and natural gas is a chemical reaction that releases heat. THERMAL ENERGY is created by the movement of atoms and molecules, and is released as heat. NUCLEAR ENERGY is stored in the nucleus , or the center, of an atom. It is released when the nucleus splits into many pieces in a process called fission , or when two nuclei are forced together to form a larger nucleus in a process called fusion .

WORD FIND Energy-related words and phrases are in green in this booklet. Find them and list them on a sheet of paper. Choose 10 words that are new to you, and use this booklet or a dictionary to find and write their definitions. Bonus: Create your own crossword puzzle or word search with your 10 words and share it with a classmate.

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