Kinetic Energy – Lesson Summary

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Learning Objective

In this lesson we will look at the main types of kinetic energy: mechanical kinetic energy, thermal energy, radiant energy, sound energy and electrical kinetic energy.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Define ‘kinetic energy’.
  • Describe mechanical kinetic energy, with examples.
  • Describe thermal energy and distinguish it from temperature.
  • Describe radiant energy, with examples.
  • Describe sound energy and compare it to radiant energy.
  • Describe electrical kinetic energy, with examples.
  • Describe factors that affect the magnitude of the different types of kinetic energy.

 
kinetic energy lesson contents

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Lesson Topics

1 | Types of Kinetic Energy

2 | Mechanical Kinetic Energy

3 | Thermal Energy

4 | Radiant Energy

5 | Sound Energy

6 | Electrical Kinetic Energy

7 | Summary

Lesson Summary

  • Kinetic energy refers to any active form of energy.
  • Kinetic energy involves movement of whole objects, movement of particles within objects or waves generated by objects.
  • Mechanical kinetic energy is energy possessed by objects that are in motion.
  • The amount of mechanical kinetic energy an object possesses depends on its speed and its mass.
  • Thermal energy (also known as heat or heat energy) is energy that results from the movement of particles in matter.
  • The amount of thermal energy possessed by an object depends on the amount of particle movement and the object’s mass.
  • When matter is heated, it gains thermal energy; when matter is cooled, it loses thermal energy.
  • Thermal energy is a measure of the total amount particle movement, whereas temperature is a measure of the average amount of particle movement.
  • Radiant energy is energy in the form of electromagnetic waves.
  • It includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma rays.
  • The amount of radiant energy carried by an electromagnetic wave depends on the rate of oscillation (frequency) and the magnitude of oscillation (amplitude).
  • Sound energy is energy in the form of a type of mechanical wave.
  • Mechanical waves transfer energy by vibrating particles in the medium through which they travel.
  • The amount of energy carried by a sound wave depends on the rate of oscillation (pitch) and the magnitude of oscillation (loudness).
  • Electrical kinetic energy is energy in the form of electrons moving between atoms.
  • It includes electricity flowing through electric circuits and electricity in the form of sparks.
  • The magnitude of electrical kinetic energy is related to the rate of electron flow.

 
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