Energy Cause Changes In Matter Or The Ability To Do Work

Energy is the ability to cause changes in matter or the ability to do work. Modern civilization thrives because people have learned how to change energy from one form to another. They use the changed energy to complete work. We use energy to move cars along roads and boats through water, to cook food on stoves, to make ice in freezers, and to light our homes. We use energy for everything!
Generating energy means converting energy from one form into another. For example, a popcorn machine changes electrical energy to thermal energy, which heats the popcorn. The heat causes the popcorn to pop. You may observe popping corn has mechanical energy. It overflows the pot and falls into the bottom of the machine. The popping corn also uses …show more content…
A microwave is an example of electromagnetic energy.
Thermal (heat): the energy of moving atoms of matter. All matter has thermal energy because atoms of all matter are constantly moving. A track runner puts in hard work to run. The runner is soaked with sweat which is an indication the hard work is paying off.
Potential energy is the stored energy an object has because of its position or state. A bicycle on top of a hill has potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When potential energy is used it is converted into kinetic energy. You can think of potential energy as kinetic energy waiting to happen. We can compare potential and kinetic energy by considering a car on a hill. When the car is at the top of the hill it has the most potential energy. If it is sitting still, it has no kinetic energy. As the car begins to roll down the hill, it loses potential energy, but gains kinetic energy. The potential energy of the position of the car at the top of the hill is getting converted into kinetic energy. Another good example is a roller coaster. When it is on its way up, it is using kinetic energy since the energy is in motion. When it reaches the top it has potential (or stored)