Matter is made up of invisibly small particles, occupies space, has mass, and exhibits gravitational
attraction. Energy, on the other hand, possesses none of these characteristics. Evidence of energy is
everywhere. All you need to do is look for motion, heat, and light.
The nature of energy is very complex, but it is best described by these characteristics:
Energy can be possessed by an object in two different ways, as kinetic energy and potential energy. If this energy is due to the fact that matter is moving or is in use, it is called kinetic energy. If it is due to the position, structure of matter, or composition, it is called potential energy. Potential energy is stored energy.
attraction. Energy, on the other hand, possesses none of these characteristics. Evidence of energy is
everywhere. All you need to do is look for motion, heat, and light.
The nature of energy is very complex, but it is best described by these characteristics:
- energy is the ability to do work,
- work is the application of a force through a distance (e.g., carrying yourself and a loaded back pack up a mountain trail),
- force is that which can put matter into motion or stop it if it is already moving ( e.g. , you are stopped at a stop sign and the car behind you doesn't see you stop, and can't stop before colliding with your rear bumper, pushing you into the intersection), and
- motion is a change in distance or direction with time (e.g., making a right hand turn).
Energy can be possessed by an object in two different ways, as kinetic energy and potential energy. If this energy is due to the fact that matter is moving or is in use, it is called kinetic energy. If it is due to the position, structure of matter, or composition, it is called potential energy. Potential energy is stored energy.
Table I. Potential and Kinetic Energies.
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