Books in Lightning Bolt Books ® _ Exploring Physical Science series

Kinetic energy, also known as the energy of motion, is all around us in different forms. Without it, there would be no light, heat, sound, or movement. Only when the other major type of energy, potential energy, converts to kinetic energy are we able to see, hear, and move about. Kinetic energy even works at the molecular level. Vibrating molecules produce heat, and subatomic particles called electrons can flow together to create electricity. From the basic movement of atoms producing heat to a car screeching to a stop, kinetic energy affects our everyday lives.

Electricity is a necessity in today’s modern society. It allows us to check our email, watch a movie on the television set, or turn on a lamp at the flip of a switch. But how does electricity work? Atoms contain negatively charged particles called electrons. Electric energy from the electrons can be harnessed into currents that run through two types of circuits, series and parallel. Generators and different types of power plants produce the electricity needed to operate our technological world.

From gold to oxygen, elements are found throughout the universe. In an effort to understand the relationship between the elements, Dimitri Mendeleev plotted the elements according to each of their atomic weights. He discovered there were groups of elements that had similar properties. Analyzing the layout, he was able to correctly predict elements that had not yet been discovered. His creation, known as the periodic table, has been instrumental to advancements in the field of chemistry.