Unit 3: Electricity, Magnetism, & Energy

Alternative Energy

• Energy generated in ways that do not deplete natural resources or harm the environment, especially by avoiding the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

• Energy produced from fossil fuels and nuclear power.

• Energy that is only available during the day.

• Energy that is generated by burning coal and oil.

Generator

• A device that converts mechanical energy into electricity.

• A machine that stores electrical energy.

• A type of battery used for power storage.

• A tool for measuring electrical current.

Electrical Energy

• Caused by moving electric charges called electrons.

• A form of energy that can be created from heat.

• Energy stored in chemical bonds of molecules.

• A type of energy that is always static.

Convection

• The process of heat transfer through direct contact of particles.

• The movement caused within a fluid by the tendency of hotter and therefore less dense material to rise, and colder, denser material to sink under the influence of gravity, which consequently results in transfer of heat.

• The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.

• The process of heat transfer that occurs in solids only.

Fission

• A process where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

• A nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy.

• A chemical reaction that involves the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances.

• A process of energy generation through the fusion of hydrogen atoms.

Chemical Energy

• Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds.

• Energy produced by chemical reactions.

• Energy released during combustion.

• Energy used in electrical circuits.

Voltage

• A measure of electric current in amperes.

• An electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.

• The resistance of a circuit measured in ohms.

• The power consumed by a device measured in watts.

Energy Transformations

• Processes that convert energy from one type into another.

• Processes that create energy from nothing.

• Processes that destroy energy completely.

• Processes that only involve kinetic energy.

Alpha Decay

• Type of radioactive disintegration in which some unstable atomic nuclei dissipate excess energy by spontaneously ejecting an alpha particle.

• A process where unstable nuclei emit beta particles to achieve stability.

• A nuclear reaction where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.

• A method of radioactive decay that involves the emission of gamma rays.

Radiation

• The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization.

• A process of transferring heat through direct contact between materials.

• The absorption of energy by matter, leading to an increase in temperature.

• A type of energy that is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds.