Key Concepts: Energy & Matter

Core Definitions

• Energy: The ability to do work or cause change; cannot be created or destroyed (Law of Conservation of Energy).
• Kinetic Energy: The energy of motion; increases as particles move faster.
• Potential Energy: Stored energy based on position or composition.
• Thermal Energy: The total kinetic energy of all particles in a substance; related to temperature.
• Endothermic Process: A process that absorbs energy from the surroundings (feels cold).
• Exothermic Process: A process that releases energy to the surroundings (feels hot).