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Physics vocabulary · Energy, Work and Momentum

Energy

Meaning in physics, with examples

/ˈenərdʒi/nounCore term

In physics, energy means: The ability of a system to do work or cause change. It comes in many forms, such as kinetic, potential, thermal and chemical, and it is measured in joules (J).

In Turkish: enerji

How it is used

Used in every branch of physics. Energy is stored, transferred, converted (or transformed) and conserved; it is never 'used up', only changed into less useful forms. In atomic physics, small amounts are given in electronvolts (eV).

Example sentences

  1. As the ball falls, its gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

  2. How much energy is transferred to the water when the heater runs for five minutes?

Common collocations

  • store energy
  • transfer energy
  • convert energy
  • energy loss
  • energy transfer
  • workThe energy transferred when a force moves an object through a distance in the direction of the force. It equals force times displacement and is measured in joules (J).
  • powerThe rate at which energy is transferred or work is done, in other words energy per second. It is measured in watts (W), where one watt is one joule per second.
  • kinetic energyThe energy an object has because it is moving. It depends on mass and speed and equals one half times mass times speed squared (½mv²).
  • potential energyEnergy stored in an object because of its position or condition, for example a raised book or a stretched spring. Near the Earth's surface, gravitational potential energy equals mgh.
  • conservation of energyThe principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between objects or converted from one form to another. The total energy of an isolated system stays constant.

More terms: Energy, Work and Momentum

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