Ch 8: ILTS Environmental Science: Nature and Properties of Energy
About This Chapter
ILTS Science: Environmental Science - Nature and Properties of Energy: Chapter Summary
Do you know the difference between thermal and radiant energy? Can you calculate the specific heat capacity for various substances? If not, you might want to review this online chapter on nature and properties of energy before taking the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Science: Environmental Science content area test. In addition to learning the answers to the questions above, you'll explore the following topics:
- The first law of thermodynamics: Law of conservation of energy
- The second law of thermodynamics: Entropy and systems
- Changes in heat and energy diagrams
- The transformation of energy in living organisms
- Chemical energy
- Electrical energy
- Mechanical energy
- Nuclear energy
- The significance of energy in nature
ILTS Science: Environmental Science - Nature and Properties of Energy Objectives
The Illinois State Board of Education uses this ILTS content area test as part of the certification process for aspiring environmental science teachers. Its 125 multiple-choice questions cover six subareas of environmental science, including physical science; this subarea is likely to feature questions on nature and properties of energy.
This chapter can help you prepare for the ILTS through its series of brief yet thorough video lessons, which are presented by professional educators who are experienced in environmental science. Each lesson is accompanied by a quiz that was designed with the ILTS in mind. Thus, you should be prepared for the types of questions you'll encounter on test day.

1. First Law of Thermodynamics: Law of Conservation of Energy
This video describes the first law of thermodynamics. Several examples of the application of this law are discussed. The significance of the law and its practical application are discussed as well.

2. Second Law of Thermodynamics: Entropy and Systems
In this lesson, we'll learn about the second law of thermodynamics. By studying this law, you'll understand how energy works and why we're all moving towards eventual chaos and disorder.

3. Changes in Heat and Energy Diagrams
Did you know that temperature and heat are not the same thing? Did you know that the temperature of water doesn't change when it boils? This lesson describes the relationship between heat and temperature. Diagrams are used to illustrate the relationship between heat and temperature during phase changes.

4. How to Calculate Specific Heat Capacity for Different Substances
This lesson describes specific heat capacity and explains how the specific heat capacity of water helps to maintain a relatively constant temperature in nature. Learn how to identify the specific heat capacity of other common materials and how to calculate specific heat capacity with an experiment.

5. Energy and Life: The Transformation of Energy in Living Organisms
While the sun is an excellent source of energy, not all forms of life can utilize the sun's energy directly. This lesson describes how plants transform the sun's energy into potential energy stored in sugar, how living organisms utilize energy in sugar to perform work, and how the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is necessary for life.

6. What is Thermal Energy? - Definition & Examples
This lesson defines and identifies examples of thermal energy everywhere from your kitchen to the Earth's core. We'll discuss geothermal energy, a renewable energy source, as well.

7. What is Chemical Energy? - Definition & Examples
This lesson describes chemical energy as a type of potential energy stored in chemicals, such as sugar and gasoline. The lesson discusses how energy is transferred from solar energy to chemical energy by plants and how gasoline is a source of chemical energy used to move cars.

8. What is Radiant Energy? - Definition & Examples
This lesson defines and describes radiant energy in its different forms. The different types of electromagnetic waves created by radiant energy are identified and described as well. This includes X-rays, microwaves, and radio waves, to mention a few.

9. What is Electrical Energy? - Definition & Examples
This lesson defines electrical energy and explores its role as a form of potential energy. It also offers an explanation of how it functions within electric fields and provides examples of its applications.

10. What is Mechanical Energy? - Definition & Examples
In physics, energy is how work gets done. This video describes one important type of energy, mechanical energy, and provides examples of both kinetic and potential mechanical energy.

11. What is Nuclear Energy? - Definition & Examples
You've probably heard of nuclear energy. But what is it? And what is the difference between fusion and fission? This lesson will answer your questions about this exciting form of energy that involves atoms and their nuclei.

12. Kinetic Energy to Potential Energy: Relationship in Different Energy Types
This video defines and describes kinetic and potential energy. You'll learn how different types of energy can be classified as potential and kinetic. You'll also find out how kinetic and potential energy are transformed.

13. What is Energy? - Definition and Significance in Nature
This lesson describes the nature of energy and how it is transferred from one source into another. Additionally, it will describe the significance of energy in natural systems.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the ILTS Science - Environmental Science (112): Test Practice and Study Guide course
- ILTS Environmental Science: Accepted Practices of Science
- ILTS Environmental Science: Cell Structure and Function
- ILTS Environmental Science: Principles of Heredity and Biological Evolution
- ILTS Environmental Science: Systems of the Body
- ILTS Environmental Science: Characteristics and Life Functions of Organisms
- ILTS Environmental Science: Climate Change and Cycles
- ILTS Environmental Science: Organisms in the Environment
- ILTS Environmental Science: Structure and Properties of Matter
- ILTS Environmental Science: Forces and Motion
- ILTS Environmental Science: Magnetism
- ILTS Environmental Science: Waves and Electromagnetic Spectrum
- ILTS Environmental Science: Electricity Fundamentals
- ILTS Environmental Science: Land, Water, and Atmospheric Systems
- ILTS Environmental Science: The Dynamic Nature of Earth
- ILTS Environmental Science: Objects in the Universe
- ILTS Environmental Science: Origins and Changes in the Universe
- ILTS Environmental Science: Energy Flow in Natural Ecosystems
- ILTS Environmental Science: How Humans Affect the Global Environment
- ILTS Environmental Science: Understanding National and Global Environmental Policy
- ILTS Environmental Science: Illinois, United States and World Environmental History
- ILTS Science - Environmental Science Flashcards