Kinetic Energy

• Energy by virtue of its motion.
• This is the energy that moving objects possess.
• Can be made to work when they strike another object.
• Examples, moving car, moving person, flowing water.

Gravitational Potential Energy

• Energy by virtue of its position.
• Any object lifted above the ground gains gravitational potential energy.
• The height the object attains gives it the potential to do work when it falls.
• Examples, water in a high level reservoir, a skier on the top of a ski slope, a ski diver before jumping from a plane.

Elastic Potential Energy (Strain Energy)

• The energy a material possesses when it is stretched and is put under strain.
• The stored energy from the stretched material can be made to do work when released.
• Examples, a stretched bow, the stretched elastic in a catapult, the tightened strings on a guitar or violin.

Thermal Energy (Heat Energy)

• The energy due to the movement of atoms and molecules in a substance.
• When a substance is heated up the atoms and molecules move faster and possess kinetic energy which can be used to do work.
• For example heating water to produce steam to drive a turbine in electricity generation.

Chemical Energy

• The energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.
• When the atoms and molecules undergo reactions bonds are broken and energy is released in the form of heat or kinetic energy.
• Examples, digesting food, burning fuels, fuel is burnt by a rocket to do work against gravity.

Electrical Energy

• Energy due to the flow of electrons.
• Work can be done by the flowing electrons in an electrical circuit.
• Examples, electrical appliances such as lights, ovens, motor.

Nuclear Energy

• Energy stored in the nuclei of atoms.
• This is the energy that holds the nucleus together.
• Large amounts of energy are released when the nuclei are split or combined during nuclear reactions.
• For example, radioactive uranium nuclei are split in nuclear reactors and the heat energy released is used to generate steam to drive turbines for electricity generation.

Wave Energy

• Waves carry energy.
• Sound is the result of the energy transferred through waves.
• Radiant energy from the sun travels through electromagnetic waves.
• Examples, light waves from the sun, sound waves from a talking person.