Electrical energy — Science definition
Energy carried by moving electric charge through a circuit.
Where it is taught
- Energy Transfer & Transformation — Energy & Heat Transfer, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
In use
Flick on a flashlight and a whole chain unfolds: chemical energy stored in the battery transforms into electrical energy that flows through the circuit, and at the bulb that electrical energy transforms again — into the light energy you wanted, plus some thermal energy you didn't.
Energy Transfer & Transformation
Questions using electrical energy
Problem 1
A light bulb uses 100 J of electrical energy and produces 20 J of light energy. The rest becomes thermal energy. How many joules become thermal energy?
Answer and explanation
80 J
100 J − 20 J (light) = 80 J of thermal energy.
Problem 2
A solar panel receives 500 J of light energy and outputs 90 J of electrical energy. How many joules were NOT converted into electrical energy?
Answer and explanation
410 J
500 J − 90 J = 410 J was not converted into electrical energy (mostly lost as thermal energy).