Potential energy is stored energy or energy that something has in a still position- it has the potential to move.
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion-when something is moving it has kinetic energy.
Energy from the sun is caused by a nuclear reaction-the fusion of 2 hydrogen atoms to create helium and a tremendous amount of energy is released.
In a pendulum- when a pendulum starts to swing it has the greatest amount of kinetic energy when it is dropped to the lowest point, which is usually half way in distance from where it will stop swinging, and start to swing back, At this point, it has the least amount of potential energy. When the ball stops and starts to swing the other way,it has the greatest amount of potential energy due to it's position. At this point, it has the least amount of kinetic energy.
Energy sources and uses
Heat is a transfer of thermal energy.
When you measure temperature, you are measuring the average kinetic energy of the individual particles of the matter.
Where does fuel come from?
Most fuel sources can be traced to stored energy form the sun, these include wood,oil,and coal.The suns energy collected in plants, is the source of the energy stored in coal,oil, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of the living things that died millions of years ago. Fossil fuels are non remewable, which means that they cannot be recycled and reused-they cannot be replaced to do more work or used for energy , one they are depleted. We must look to other sources for fuel.
Measureing energy use in the home.
When FPL measures the amount of energy that you sue in your home it is measured in units called kilowatt-hours.
When you use an appliance in your home the cost of operating it is determined by the number of watts the appliance uses, and the numbers of hours that you use it and the actual cost of the electricity. Most of the fuel that is used in the US comes from oil,which is a nonrenewable resource. Alternate sources of energy other that fossil fuels are wind,water,tides,and the sun-(solar energy-hydroelectric, wind powered,dams, etc. When
