You may have learned that energy is the "ability to do work or cause change." Energy exists in a variety of forms. Heat, light, sound, or motion are sure signs that some form of energy is present and being used.

Moving objects have what is called mechanical (meh-CAN-ih-cul) energy. Mechanical means produced by or relating to a machine. A car driving along a road or an airplane in flight are examples of machines that have mechanical energy.

But any object that is in motion or raised above the ground also has mechanical energy: think of a ball flying through the air or a piece of fruit on a table. In this lesson, you will learn how mechanical energy makes things move.

Write down three other objects that have mechanical energy.