Energy transfer

This lesson covers: 

  1. The seven main energy stores
  2. How energy can be transferred between different stores
  3. Examples of energy transfers between stores

Seven main energy stores

There are seven main types of energy stores.

  1. Gravitational potential energy store - objects raised above ground level.
  2. Kinetic (movement) energy store - moving objects.
  3. Elastic potential energy store - stretched or compressed objects.
  4. Chemical energy store - food, fuel, batteries.
  5. Magnetic energy store - magnets.
  6. Electrostatic energy store - electric charges.
  7. Thermal energy store - objects when they release heat.

Energy transfers between stores

When something happens to an object, energy is transferred from one store to another.

There are four main ways energy can be transferred:

  1. Mechanically - through forces causing movement.
  2. By heating - from hotter to colder objects.
  3. Electrically - charges moving in a circuit.
  4. By radiating - waves carrying energy.

Examples of energy transfers - elastic potential to kinetic

Illustration showing energy transfer from elastic potential to kinetic as a ball springs off a trampoline.

Elastic potential to kinetic:

When a ball springs off a trampoline, energy transfers from the trampoline's elastic potential store to the ball's kinetic store.

Examples of energy transfers - kinetic to gravitational potential

Diagram showing energy transfer from kinetic potential to gravitational potential with a ball rolling down a hill and off a ramp.

Kinetic to gravitational potential:

When a ball rolls down a hill and then off of a ramp, kinetic energy transfers to gravitational potential energy.

Examples of energy transfers - chemical to light and thermal

Illustration showing chemical energy transforming into light and thermal energy with a burning fire.

Chemical to light and thermal:

When burning fuels, energy is transferred from chemical stores to the thermal store. Some energy is radiated as light.