Energy is the ability to do work, and it comes in different types. These types include kinetic (energy of motion), potential (stored energy), thermal (heat energy), chemical (energy stored in food and fuels), electrical (energy from electricity), and nuclear energy (energy from atoms). It's important to know how these energies can change from one type to another.

Examples of Energy Transformation:

1. Kinetic to Potential Energy:

   • Think about a roller coaster car going up a hill. As it climbs, the speed (kinetic energy) changes into height (potential energy).
   • The formula for potential energy is:
     • Potential Energy (PE) = $mgh$
     • Here, m is mass, g is the pull of gravity (about 9.81 meters per second squared), and h is height.

2. Chemical to Thermal Energy:

   • When gasoline burns in a car’s engine, the chemical energy in the gas changes into thermal energy (heat).
   • This process usually works well, with efficiency of around 20% to 30%.

3. Electrical to Mechanical Energy:

   • Electric motors take electrical energy and change it into mechanical energy to do work.
   • These motors are very efficient, often over 90% in factories.

4. Nuclear to Thermal Energy:

   • In nuclear power plants, energy from splitting atoms (nuclear fission) transforms into thermal energy.
   • This heat is then used to make steam and turn turbines, with an efficiency of about 33%.

Conclusion:

By understanding how energy transforms, we can use it better in many fields, like engineering and environmental science. This also shows how different forms of energy are connected in our world.