Chapter 15

Energy and Work Done

What is energy and what can it do?

When is work done by a force?
What are the applications of different
sources of energy in our daily lives?
Chapter 15:
ENERGY AND WORK DONE
What is energy?
Energy is defined as the ability to do work.

Properties of energy:
Cannot be created or destroyed.
Each form of energy comes from a different
source.
Energy can be stored.
All forms of energy can do work.
Chapter 15:
ENERGY AND WORK DONE

15.1 Types of energy

15.2 Energy conversions
15.3 Sources of energy
15.4 Energy and work done
15.1 Types of energy

Energy in action

Heat Light Electrical Kinetic Sound

15.1 Types of energy

Stored energy

Gravitational Elastic Chemical

potential Nuclear
potential potential
energy energy
energy energy
15.2 Energy conversions
When work is done on an object, energy is converted
from one form to another.

Consider the archer below:

When the archer applies a force on
the bowstring, he pulls it at a
distance towards him.

Work is done on the bowstring.

The energy transformation during
this action is:

Chemical Elastic potential

potential energy energy in the
in arm muscles bowstring
15.2 Energy conversions
As the archer releases the bowstring, the arrow is pushed
some distance forward.

Work is done on the

arrow when it
propels forward.

The energy transformation during this action is:

Elastic potential Kinetic energy in the

energy in the bowstring moving arrow
15.2 Energy conversions

When work is done, each form of

energy present has been
converted to another form of
energy.
This is because energy cannot be
created or destroyed. We say
that energy is conserved.

Test yourself!
What is the energy
conversion that
happens when you
play soccer?
15.2 Energy conversions
Here are more examples of energy conversion
15.2 Energy Changes

Electrical energy Heat energy

Chemical energy Heat energy +

sound energy + kinetic energy

Electrical energy Kinetic energy

15.2 Energy conversions
Self check!
15.2 Energy Changes
Identify the following types of energy conversions
15.2 Energy conversions
15.3 Sources of energy
15.3 Sources of Energy
Although energy cannot be created or destroyed, energy
is not always converted into useful forms.
Many machines pollute the environment and waste energy.
In cars and motorcycles, the burning of petrol provides
the energy needed to move the vehicles.
This produces substances that are harmful to people and
pollute the environment.

In contrary, a bicycle does

not produce harmful
substances and pollutants.
 15.3 Sources of energy
Biofuels

Renewable Geothermal energy

Energy Hydroelectric
sources
Solar energy
Non-Renewable
Wind energy
Most of the energy we use comes from
non-renewable sources. Fossil fuels
These are limited and will run out one day.
15.3 Sources of energy (non renewable)
Fossil fuels
15.3
Most Sources ofenergy
non-renewable Energy
sources are produced
from fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are formed by the remains of dead plants
and animals.
It takes millions of years for fossil fuels to form.
water evaporates

wind

decaying pressure
plants and
animals will
50 million years ago form oil
Present
15.3 Sources of energy (non renewable)
Power station
Crude oil is an important type of fossil fuel. Other
15.3 Sources of Energy
types of fossil fuels include natural gas and oil.
The burning of fossil fuels in power stations involves
the following energy conversion:

Chemical
potential energy Heat

Electrical Kinetic
energy energy
15.3 Sources of energy (non renewable)

In motor vehicles such as cars and

15.3 Sources of Energy
motorcycles, the energy conversion is:

Chemical Kinetic
potential energy Heat
energy
15.3 Sources of energy (non renewable)
Uses of fossil fuels
15.3 Sources of Energy
Petrol is fuel for cars and
motorcycles, while diesel is fuel
for buses, taxis and lorries.
Kerosene (burnt in jet engines)
and natural gas can be stored as
fuels for cooking.
Most power stations generate
electrical energy by burning
coal or natural gas.
15.3 Sources of energy
Impact of the use of fossil fuels on the environment

When fossil fuels are burnt, carbon dioxide gas is

produced.
Carbon dioxide gas traps heat from the sun in the
earths atmosphere and causes global warming.
Global warming causes ice in the polar regions to melt,
raising sea levels. It also brings about erratic and
destructive weather patterns.
15.3 Sources of energy (Renewable)
Renewable sources of energy

15.3 Sources
Renewable sourcesof
renewed indefinitely.
Energy
of energy can be sustained or

Unlimited supplies or new growth of organisms allow

us to continuously use these sources of energy.

Biofuels
Renewable Geothermal energy
sources of
energy
Hydroelectric

What are some examples Solar energy

of renewable sources of
energy?
Wind energy
15.3 Sources of energy - Biofuels
Biofuels are derived from animal
15.3 Sources of Energy
and plant matter such as water
hyacinth and sugar cane.
Biofuels are burnt to produce
energy, like fossil fuels.
Thus, the energy conversion for
biofuels is the same as that for
fossil fuels.
15.3 Sources of energy
Uses of Biofuels
15.3 Sources of Energy
Ethanol derived from sugarcane and
water hyacinth can be turned into
biodiesel fuel for motor vehicles.
Impact of the use of biofuels on the
environment
Carbon dioxide produced when
biofuels are burnt also contribute to
global warming. Do you know that you can make
biodiesel from used cooking oil?
However, the plants that produce Click here to learn how.
these biofuels take in carbon dioxide Describe the process of
during photosynthesis. This partially converting used cooking oil into
biodiesel.
offsets the heat trapped.
15.3 Sources of energy
Geothermal energy
15.3 Sources of Energy
Geothermal energy is derived
from hot rocks deep underground
in volcanic areas.
By drilling deep into the earth,
water flowing through huge
underground pipes is heated into
steam.
The energy conversion in
geothermal power stations is as Geothermal power station
in Iceland
follows:

Heat Kinetic Electrical

energy energy
15.3 Sources of energy
Uses of Geothermal energy
15.3 Sources of Energy
The steam from heated water in
geothermal power stations can be
used to heat homes and buildings.
It can also generate electricity.
Impact of the use of geothermal
energy on the environment
Some types of geothermal power stations extract poisonous
substances such as hydrogen sulfide or arsenic from deep
underground.
The land around the geothermal power stations may sink when
material is extracted, causing damage to buildings and roads.
The flow patterns of rainwater may also be significantly
affected.
15.3 Sources of energy
Hydroelectric energy
15.3 Sources
A hydroelectric powerof
station stores water in a
Energy
reservoir behind a dam.
The flow of water from the
reservoir turns the blades of
a turbine to generate
electrical energy.
The energy conversion in a Three Gorges Dam in China

hydroelectric power station

is:
Gravitational Electrical
Kinetic
potential energy
energy
energy
15.3 Sources of energy
Uses of Hydroelectric energy
15.3 Sources of Energy
Hydroelectric power stations supply electrical
energy to households and factories.

Impact of the use of hydroelectric energy

Hydroelectric energy does not produce pollutants.
However, when hydroelectric dams are built, extensive flooding
in large areas of forest, wildlife habitats and farmlands may
occur.
The dams also prevent the flow of sediments and nutrients
down rivers.
This greatly affects ecosystems around the hydroelectric power
stations.
15.3 Sources of energy
Solar energy
15.3 Sources
The energy ofcanEnergy
in sunlight be
directly converted into
electrical energy by
photovoltaic or solar cells.
The energy conversion in solar
cells is:

Light Electrical
energy energy
15.3 Sources of energy
Uses of Solar energy
15.3 Sources of Energy
The energy in sunlight can be used to heat water.
Some solar heaters can channel the heated water (steam) to
drive a turbine to generate electrical energy.
However, solar cells can directly convert sunlight into
electrical energy.
Impact of the use of solar energy on the environment
No harmful substances or pollutants are produced when
solar cells generate electricity.
15.3 Sources of energy Wind farm

Wind energy
15.3 Sources of Energy
Wind energy is an energy
source that converts the
energy of moving air (wind)
into electricity by rotating
one or more turbines.
The energy conversion in
wind turbines is:

Kinetic Electrical
energy Royd Moor wind farm in England
energy
15.3 Sources of energy
Uses of Wind energy
15.3 Sources
Wind of
energy provides Energy
electrical energy for households
and research stations, especially in remote areas.

Impact of the use of wind energy on the environment

The wind blades of turbines may cause a significant

number of deaths of birds and bats.
The rotating wind turbines produce some low-frequency
noise, including infrasound.
Infrasound may cause some people to feel nauseous and
experience headaches.