Energy Academic Vocabulary for 7th Grade

Work

• The transfer of energy that occurs when a force moves an object over a distance.

• A measure of the amount of force applied to an object.

• The energy stored in an object due to its position.

• The rate at which work is done over time.

Energy Transformation

• The process of changing energy from one form to another, such as a lightbulb transforming electrical energy into light and thermal energy.

• The process of creating energy from nothing.

• The process of storing energy in batteries for later use.

• The process of converting light energy into sound energy.

Conduction

• The transfer of thermal energy through direct contact.

• The transfer of thermal energy through fluid movement.

• The transfer of thermal energy through radiation.

• The transfer of thermal energy through convection.

Chemical Energy

• Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds (like food or fuel). When these bonds are broken, energy is released.

• Energy that can be created from light sources.

• Energy that is produced by mechanical processes.

• Energy that is stored in the nucleus of an atom.

Law of Conservation of Energy

• Energy can be created and destroyed.

• Energy can only be transformed from one form to another.

• The total amount of energy in a closed system can change.

• Energy is a finite resource that will eventually run out.

Potential Energy

• Stored energy due to an object's position or state.

• Energy that is in motion.

• Energy that is released when an object falls.

• Energy that is used to do work.

Thermal Energy

• The energy associated with the random motion of atoms and molecules. We often perceive this as heat.

• The energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds.

• The energy produced by the movement of large objects.

• The energy that is transferred between systems due to a temperature difference.

Convection

• The transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). This is how a radiator heats a room.

• The process of heat transfer through direct contact between materials.

• The transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves.

• The movement of air caused by differences in pressure.

Electrical Energy

• Energy caused by the movement of protons.

• Energy caused by the movement of electrons. This is the energy that powers our lights and devices.

• Energy stored in chemical bonds.

• Energy produced by friction between surfaces.

Mechanical Energy

• The energy stored in a compressed spring.

• The total energy of an object's motion and position. It's the sum of kinetic and potential energy.

• The energy associated with the temperature of an object.

• The energy released during a chemical reaction.