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 EnergyEnergy stored in a object; due to the object itself or its position

Kinetic EnergyEnergy 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 EnergyEnergy from a magnetic field

Electrical EnergyEnergy of moving electrons

Forms of Energy-Types of Kinetic Energy

Thermal EnergyEnergy of moving atoms, results in

the temperature of a system

Acoustic EnergyEnergy 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 EnergyEnergy an object has due to stretching or compression

Law of Conservation of EnergyPart 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)