Energy transformation Definition – the changing of energy from one form or state to another Characteristics – many machines are devices that transform energy from one form to another; our bodies transform energy from chemical energy to kinetic, and thermal energy Example – changing Picture - Chemical energy Definition – energy that is stored in chemicals Characteristics – energy stored in the foods you eat, energy stored in fuels such as wood and gasoline Example – lunch Picture - Radiant energy Definition – energy that comes from electromagnetic waves Characteristics – these can be visible like light from the sun or light bulb or invisible like radio waves or x-rays Example – energy waves Picture - Electrical energy Definition – energy carried by electric current that comes out of batteries and wall sockets; is generated at large power plants, and is readily transformed into other types of energy Characteristics – electricity from a power plant, a car battery or a dry cell in a flashlight Example – moving electrons Picture - Mechanical energy Definition – energy an object has because of its motion or position Characteristics – any object in motion has mechanical energy, other forms of energy can be converted to mechanical energy; electrical energy to mechanical energy in a toy car Example – motion Picture - Nuclear energy Definition – energy contained in the center, or nucleus, of an atom Characteristics – this energy is produced during a nuclear reaction, the Sun and other stars make heat and light by nuclear reactions Example – Sun’s energy Picture - Law of conservation of energy Definition – states that energy can change its form but it is never created or destroyed Characteristics – energy only changes the form in which it appears, for example potential to kinetic, or chemical to mechanical Example – energy law Picture - Light Energy Definition – visible form of electromagnetic waves Characteristics – light is natures way of transferring energy through space. Example – Sun Picture - .