Types of Energy by Bautista, Journey

What is Energy?

581974_3 — 2024-02-08 23:20:01 UTC

Energy is the power to do work. Work is the action of applying force to move or do something. If an object has energy, it has the potential to do work, or move/do something. Energy can interact with tangible, or physical objects, which can cause them to move or change. Energy can also be expended to carry out a action. For example, after eating, I have a lot of energy. This means I have the potential, or chance, to move around, do something, be somewhere. But, if I lose sleep or get dehydrated, I don't have energy, or feel energized. When you feel tired, do you feel like you can run around or move a lot? That energy that you lost meant losing some ability to move, to interact with things, to work.

What is Energy Transfer?

581974_3 — 2024-02-08 23:20:48 UTC

Energy can move from one place, object, and location to another. This is why you get energy when eating, or lose energy from doing sports. This movement is called Energy Transfer. Energy transfers happen between the movement of the same type of energy. When the energy transfers, the form of energy stays the same. An example of a energy transfer is when hitting a pool ball. The pool stick transfers energy to the cue ball, hitting the colored ball in the process. the energy transfers from the pool stick, to the cue ball, to the colored ball, staying the same form of energy.

What is Energy Transformation?

581974_3 — 2024-02-08 23:22:18 UTC

The conversion of one type of energy to another is called Energy Transformation. While energy can't be created or destroyed, it can change forms. Most of our energy started out as radiant energy from the sun, but transformed into multiple different types.

What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:38:56 UTC

The Law of Conservation of Energy states: "Energy cannot be created or destroyed." This law says that even if energy is transferred, transformed, or used, the amount of energy that you started with will be the same as what you ended with.

Types of Energy

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:40:48 UTC

There are multiple types of energy, and they all have different purposes.

Mechanical Energy

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:41:50 UTC

Mechanical energy is the energy of motion. If something moves, it has mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is used to lift, move, and hold objects, and if a object moves, it has mechanical energy. If a person walks, they have mechanical energy in their legs. If it moves, it has mechanical energy. Essentially, mechanical energy is similar to kinetic energy.

Electrical Energy

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:42:41 UTC

Energy carried by charges particles, or electrons, is Electrical Energy. Electrical energy, also known as electricity, moves along something called a circuit. Electrical devices can be hooked up to the circuit to harness and use this energy. Objects that have built up electrical energy can have stored energy, otherwise known as static electricity. Objects that use electrical energy include: Cell phones, Laptops, refrigerators, and TV's.

Sound Energy

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:43:53 UTC

Energy that carries sound waves is called Sound Energy. Sound Energy can also travel through matter (solids, liquids, gasses), which is why you can hear music through your walls. Additionally, when something vibrates, say your vocal chords, it generates sound. This fact is proven when you stand in the crowd of a loud concert. Most people would feel the vibration of the beat, since the speakers are so loud. Thus, the speakers are using sound energy.

Thermal Energy

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:44:31 UTC

Thermal energy is normally associated temperature, and the hotter the temperature is, the more thermal energy the object has. But what determines the temperature? The atoms that make up matter are always vibrating. The faster they move, the higher the temperature is. The more thermal energy there is, the hotter the object is. Things like stoves, ovens, and toasters use thermal energy.

Radiant (Light) Energy

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:45:28 UTC

Radiant energy is energy that is carried by light. Usually when talking about radiant energy, people mean visible light, which is the electromagnetic radiation that is visible to our eyes. The reason radiant energy is called radiant and not light energy is due to this fact, since all electromagnetic radiation has energy. Infrared, radio waves, UV light, and x-rays are all types of electromagnetic radiation that has light energy.

Chemical Energy

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:45:45 UTC

Chemical energy is energy stored between the bonds of atoms in matter. These bonds can store quite a lot of energy, and when broken, release it. The most common example of this is in food. We eat food, say, a hamburger. As our stomach digests the food, the acid breaks the food down, severing those bonds. The chemical energy is released, and we get more energized. This fact is why you feel more energetic and awake after eating certain foods.

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:46:16 UTC

Energy Questions

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:47:54 UTC

Can Energy Change?

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:48:40 UTC

Yes, energy can change. The change of energy is called a Energy Transformation, in which one type of energy is transformed into another. This is why people use things like windmills, dams, and solar panels to power homes. They use energy from nature, like radiant energy (light), transform it to electrical, and use it to power their appliances.

Can Energy Be Created or Destroyed?

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:49:50 UTC

No, energy can not be created or destroyed. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, which is proven by professionals to be true, energy cannot be created or destroyed. We can test if this statement is true by measuring how much energy something uses, and how much energy is expelled. The use and obtainment of energy is a give and take situation.

Can an Object Transfer More Than One Type of Energy?

581974_3 — 2024-02-12 22:50:55 UTC

In short, yes. An object can transfer more than one type energy, which is why campfires emit heat, and can glow in the dark. The logs have thermal energy, and the fire emits light energy. Other objects like electric powered light bulbs actually use 2 different types of energy to achieve the desired goal.

How Does Energy Flow in a System?

581974_3 — 2024-02-16 06:42:04 UTC

As mentioned before, certain energies are carried through certain waves, matters, or conductors. In the screenshot above, we can see mechanical energy being passed through the wheel. We learned Mechanical energy specifically passes through any object that is currently moving. Thus, the mechanical energy moves through the wheel. Next, we can see how electrical energy moves through the chord to the light bulb. It is moving through a circuit, which is how electrical energy travels. Finally, electrical energy is used to power the light bulb. This whole process shows how energy travels through certain objects, moving through their required conductor to get the final product.