Teach children the six types of potential energy

Your son or daughter comes home from school with questions about the different types of potential energy or energy that is stored. It can be very confusing since some examples are not stationary at the molecular level. Some types are actually potential and kinetic energy (motion) simultaneously, such as heat or chemicals. Can you explain the differences between the six types of potential energy for your child using common examples.

Potential energy, or energy of position, is stored energy. That is, has the ability to do the job or to move something in a scientific sense. There are many types of potential energy between the gravitational potential, electrical, chemical, thermal, magnetic, and elastic.

Six types of potential energy # 1 - When an object like a ball is on a hillside, has gravitational potential energy according to their height from the bottom of the hill, its mass and the gravitational constant, g, which on Earth is 9.8m/s2. The gravitational constant is a form of acceleration. The higher the object is above the surface of the Earth, the more will increase as it falls to reach terminal velocity (or the maximum speed at which the falling). If a ball with a mass of 10 kg is 100 meters above the surface of the Earth, its gravitational potential energy will be the product of mass, gravitational constant, and the height, or (10 kg) (9.8 m / s2) (100m), which is kgm2/s2 9800 or 9800 Newton-meters or 9800 joules. A Joule, which rhymes with rule, is the unit of measurement for energy. A ball of energy potential changes in the kinetics or falls as it rolls downhill.

Six types of potential energy # 2 - The electrical energy is stored in a battery of the chemical elements of the battery contains. A battery terminal has an element that allows the flow of electrons from it, while the other terminal has an element which readily accepts electrons. A battery eventually stops working because the chemicals are used. Static electricity involves items such as a balloon or a pet cat of the family that have more electrons, especially in dry weather. If you rub a balloon on the hair and stick to the wall, which is using static electricity. When you pet the cat on a dry day, you can hear a rattle or see small sparks which is also static.

Six types of potential energy # 3 - the chemical energy is trapped in chemical bonds. It is the component of the energy that can be released when the molecules interact during a chemical reaction. It includes fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas and wood. The chemical substances are composed of molecules, which are composed of atoms, which are composed of protons, neutrons, electrons and for practical purposes. The electrons are in continuous motion turn protons and neutrons in the nucleus. The movement of electrons is involved with the creation of chemical bonds in molecules. During a chemical reaction, this energy is stored. Our cells need chemical energy stored in foods we eat, in order to function properly. Digestion is a slow process that breaks down the food we eat, releasing energy for the body's use. The energy from the food becomes heat, carbon dioxide and water. Food packages list the number of calories in the product. A calorie of food energy is 4180 Joules.

Six types of potential energy # 4 - thermal or thermal energy is in all matter. Even something that feels as cold as an ice cube is still hot. The molecules of all matter moves as part of a solid. Until the temperature of a material is above absolute zero, which is -459 degrees Fahrenheit, has heat. This type of heat is still considered to be stored does not involve movement we can see.

Six types of potential energy # 5 - The magnetic energy is also related to the atoms in an object. A magnet is extremely large groups of atoms aligned, in which one side of the group becomes the north pole of the magnet and the other side becomes the south pole. The magnetic field, or the space around a magnet in which the magnetic force is exerted, is created by spinning and orbiting electrons. Most materials are not magnetic because the magnetic fields of the atoms do not align. Iron atoms to produce the strongest magnetic field, so a lot of magnets contain iron. The magnets are in electric motors and exert forces that influence the electric current in the wires. This has led to the development of electricity, radio and television.

Six types of potential energy # 6 - elastic energy is the internal energy of a fluid or a solid that can be converted into mechanical energy to do the job. A bouncing ball, a spring, sling a trampoline, and a hydraulic piston all have elastic energy. The ball, spring, and trampoline are all solids that can store energy. The piston contains compressed air or other fluid or as the brake fluid in the brakes of the cars which store energy.

Using common examples of the above, one can easily explain the different types of potential energy for your children....