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All of the energy in the universe is... - George Zaidan and Charles Morton

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The energy in the universe never increases or decreases -- but it does move around a lot. Energy can be potential (like a stretched-out rubber band waiting to snap) or kinetic (like the molecules that vibrate within any substance). And though we can't exactly see it, every time we cook dinner or shiver on a cold night, we know it's there. George Zaidan and Charles Morton get excited about energy.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Here's a great lecture from MIT about Work, Energy, and Universal Gravitation.
Here is some basic information on kinetic theory ideas about solids, liquids and gases, and changes of state. Also, there's information about ideal and real gases, the ideal gas equation, and Boyle's Law and Charles' Law.
Students are often confused about issues relating to chemical bond energy, thinking that chemical bonds store energy that is used to make them. Check out this article to clear up any confusion!
Here's a blog post by Dr. Christopher S. Baird that answers the question, "When does the breaking of chemical bonds release energy?"
Chemical reactions are constantly happening in your body -- even at this very moment. But what catalyzes these important reactions? Vance Kite explains how enzymes assist the process, while providing a light-hearted way to remember how activation energy works.
How can bottles and balloons help explain the different laws that govern gas? See how Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law, and Avogadro’s Law help us understand the laws that govern gas properties.
In physics, energy is one of the basic quantitative properties describing a physical system or object's state. Energy can be transformed (converted) among a number of forms that may each manifest and be measurable in differing ways. The law of conservation of energy states that the (total) energy of a system can increase or decrease only by transferring it in or out of the system. The total energy of a system can be calculated by simple addition when it is composed of multiple non-interacting parts or has multiple distinct forms of energy. Common energy forms include the kinetic energy of a moving object, the radiant energy carried by light and other electromagnetic radiation, and various types of potential energy such as gravitational and elastic. Energy is measured in SI units of joules (J). Common types of energy transfer and transformation include processes such as heating a material, performing mechanical work on an object, generating or making use of electric energy, and many chemical reactions.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator George Zaidan, Charles Morton
  • Director Adam Comiskey
  • Artist Samantha Davies, Eleanor Paine, Camelia Cojan
  • Narrator George Zaidan

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