August 10, 2021 Chemical energy Chemical energy is defined as the form of potential energy stored within atoms and molecules. Usually, it’s the energy stored within chemical bonds, but it’s also the energy of the electron arrangement of ions and atoms. Chemical energy is observed when a chemical reaction occurs or matter changes forms. Energy is either absorbed or released when chemical energy changes form as the result of a chemical change. 1 Sunlight creates a chemical reaction that gives plans energy to grow. Chemical energy is energy that is stored in the bonds between chemical compounds, such as atoms and molecules. A chemical reaction is the process of atoms being rearranged due to a chemical change, resulting in a new substance being produced. An exothermic reaction is a form of chemical reaction when heat is produced as a by-product. 2 Wood Biomass Energy from Trees and Logs Wood biomass energy sources which are used as a fuel can be safely stored and preserved in the form of logs or chippings without any potential energy loss. Wood Biomass Energy when used as a fuel has many environmental advantages over the use of traditional fossil fuels. The main advantage is that wood is a renewable resource like solar, water or wind power thereby offering a sustainable and dependable energy resource, unless improperly managed. Other advantages of wood biomass energy is the fact that the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted during the combustion process is a lot less than when burning conventional fossil fuel and as such has the ability to provide a much cleaner burning process. For many decades now, sustainably controlled and produced wood biomass has become a significant source of renewable energy while at the same time through forestry management techniques maintaining the natural environment. 3 If we take the insides of a cell, we will find that it has three major components. There is a chemical medium that allows the flow of electrons through it called an electrolyte as well as an anode and a cathode. These being two terminals that are made of two different chemicals that are usually metals. When the circuit is complete, it allows the anode to undergo an oxidation reaction (we spoke about these in the previous post) that produces an electron. This happens by two or more ions from the electrolyte combining with the anode and producing a compound and electron(s). At the same time, at the cathode a reduction reaction occurs where free electrons from the circuit are taken in to the ionic material. 4 Energy is required by all living cells to carry out the daily functions of maintenance of the cellular structure, synthesis of biomolecules, cell movement, transport of molecules, generation of electric currents, etc. Organic compounds are the main source for obtaining energy. These organic compounds can be synthesized by the organism by utilizing solar energy as in the process of photosynthesis or they can be obtained through diet. Hence, the oxidation of these organic compounds by a series of metabolic reactions to eventually produce energy in the form of ATP is called cellular respiration. Organic compounds through which energy can be derived are carbohydrates and fat proteins. Cellular respiration can be further divided into aerobic and anaerobic depending upon the organic compound that gets completely oxidized or incompletely oxidized. The organic compound here is pyruvate, the metabolic product. 5 Source: Natural gas is a fossil fuel. Its formation is similar to that for petroleum; however the conversion of the fossilized remains of the dead plants and animals to gas occurs at deeper depths in the Earths crust where the pressure and heat is greater. Natural gas is extracted in a similar way to petroleum by drilling holes and sinking pipes into the gas reservoirs, the gas travels to its surface under its own pressure. Advantages: Relatively easy to extract. Requires little processing (is extracted in a ready to use form) Is the cleanest of the fossil fuels. Disadvantages: Produces greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants when burnt. 6 7