Table 2.

A comparison of interactions from introductory physics and processes from introductory biology

PET interactions and the effects on energy		LSET processes and the effects on energy
Contact push–pull interaction	Touching objects that push or pull on each other transfer mechanical energy and change an object's kinetic energy.	Photosynthesis	Using light energy from the sun, plants convert carbon dioxide and water to food molecules that have chemical potential energy.
Gravitational, magnetic, and electrical interactions	Objects with mass, magnetic/ferromagnetic objects, and charged objects that are near each other transfer mechanical energy and change an object's kinetic energy.	Ingestion, digestion, and circulation	Chemical potential energy is delivered to a cell by taking food molecules from outside the body, separating them into small pieces, and delivering them into a cell.
Light interaction	A source of light illuminates an object, transfers light energy from the source, and changes the thermal energy within the object.	(Aerobic) cellular respiration	Food molecules in the cell combine with oxygen (creating water and carbon dioxide), and energy from the food is transferred to ATP.
Heat conduction/infrared interaction	Objects at different temperatures transfer heat and cause a change in thermal energy in one or both objects.	Cell work	Energy in ATP is converted to kinetic energy so a cell can carry out necessary functions.