Energy Energy Energy!
What is Energy??
What is Energy??
• Scientific definition: Ability to do work
O.k….so what
does work
mean?
What is work???
• Scientific definition: what happens when force
is applied on an object and is moved a certain
distance
Alright, what
does this really
mean to me??
Energy
• Makes change possible!
– No energy, no universe
– Life on Earth, both human and wildlife, made
possible due to energy
– Mankind’s ability to convert from forms of energy
allows for everything we have
Forms of Energy
• There are many forms of energy, but there are
two key forms
– Potential energy : energy stored in objects
– Kinetic energy : energy of objects in motion
• All the other forms are either specific
examples of potential or kinetic energy, or a
mixture of the two
Forms of Energy
Potential Energy
Energy stored in a object; due to the
object itself or its position
Kinetic Energy
Energy of objects in motion (Objects being
waves, electrons, molecules, substances etc.)
Forms of Energy-Types of Kinetic Energy
Radiant Energy
Energy from electromagnetic waves; visible
light is an example
Magnetic Energy
Energy from a magnetic field
Electrical Energy
Energy of moving electrons
Forms of Energy-Types of Kinetic Energy
Thermal Energy
Energy of moving atoms, results in
the temperature of a system
Acoustic Energy
Energy of vibrating objects; this
produces sound
Forms of Energy-Potential Energy
Chemical Energy
Energy contained in chemical bonds
Nuclear Energy
Energy contained in the nuclei of
atoms
Elastic Energy
Energy an object has due to stretching or
compression
Law of Conservation of Energy
Part of the 1st Law of Thermodynamics
“Energy can be neither created nor destroyed.
However, energy can change forms, and
energy can flow from one place to another.”
What does
that mean?!?!
It means
• We never “loose” energy; it just changes form
• The total energy in the universe remains
constant
• What are some transformations of energy we
can think of?
Examples of the Transformation of Energy
• Radiant Energy to Electrical Energy
– Capturing the sun’s energy and converting it into
electricity using solar panels
Examples of the Transformation of Energy
• Kinetic Energy to Electrical Energy
– Wind Generated Energy: Winds (kinetic energy)
turns windmill blades, which spins a generator,
converting kinetic energy into electricity (electrical
energy)
Examples of the Transformation of Energy
• Chemical Energy to Kinetic Energy
– Car Engine: Fuel (diesel or gasoline; chemical
energy) is burned, resulting in the movement of
pistons (kinetic energy), running the engine and
allowing the vehicle to move
Examples of the Transformation of Energy
• Nuclear Energy to Thermal Energy
– Nuclear Power Plant: Nuclear Fission (nuclear
energy) of a fissile material releases large
quantities of thermal energy, which is used to heat
up water to produce steam.
• Thermal Energy to Electrical Energy
– Steam Generator: Water is heated up and is
converted into steam (thermal energy), which is
used to turn a turbine, creating electricity
(electrical energy)
Examples of the Transformation of Energy
• Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy to Electrical
Energy
– Hydroelectric Dam: Water is stored in a reservoir
(potential energy) and is channeled into a
penstock (kinetic energy), which turns a turbine,
generating electricity (electrical energy)