ENERGY : A Comprehensive Understanding

Tathagato Chakraborty

Nature of Energy

What is energy that it can be involved in so many different activities?

Energy can be defined as the ability to do work. If an object or organism does work (exerts a force over a distance to move an object) the object or organism uses energy.

Nature of Energy
Because

of the direct connection between energy and work, energy is measured in the same unit as work: joules (J). In addition to using energy to do work, objects gain energy because work is being done on them.

Forms of Energy

The five main forms of energy are:

Heat Chemical Electromagnetic Nuclear Mechanical

Heat Energy
The internal motion of the atoms is called heat energy, because moving particles produce heat. Heat energy can be produced by friction. Heat energy causes changes in temperature and phase of any form of matter.

Chemical Energy
Chemical

Energy is required to bond atoms together. And when bonds are broken, energy is released.

Chemical Energy
Fuel

and food are forms of stored chemical energy.

Electromagnetic Energy

Power lines carry electromagnetic energy into your home in the form of electricity.

Electromagnetic Energy
Light is a form of electromagnetic energy. Each color of light (Roy G Bv) represents a different amount of electromagnetic energy. Electromagnetic Energy is also carried by X-rays, radio waves, and laser light.

Nuclear Energy
The

nucleus of an atom is the source of nuclear energy.

Nuclear Energy
When the nucleus splits (fission), nuclear energy is released in the form of heat energy and light energy. Nuclear energy is also released when nuclei collide at high speeds and join (fuse).

Nuclear Energy
The suns energy is produced from a nuclear fusion reaction in which hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium nuclei.

Nuclear Energy
Nuclear

energy is the most concentrated form of energy.

Most of us live within 10 miles of the Surry Nuclear Power Plant which converts nuclear energy into electromagnetic energy.

Mechanical Energy
When

work is done to an object, it acquires energy. The energy it acquires is known as mechanical energy.

Mechanical Energy
When

you kick a football, you give mechancal energy to the football to make it move.

Mechanical Energy
When you throw a balling ball, you give it energy. When that bowling ball hits the pins, some of the energy is transferred to the pins (transfer of momentum).

Energy Conversion

Energy can be changed from one form to another. Changes in the form of energy are called energy conversions.

Energy conversions

All forms of energy can be converted into other forms.

The suns energy through solar cells can be converted directly into electricity. Green plants convert the suns energy (electromagnetic) into starches and sugars (chemical energy).

Other energy conversions

In an electric motor, electromagnetic energy is converted to mechanical energy. In a battery, chemical energy is converted into electromagnetic energy. The mechanical energy of a waterfall is converted to electrical energy in a generator.

Energy Conversions

In an automobile engine, fuel is burned to convert chemical energy into heat energy. The heat energy is then changed into mechanical energy.

Chemical Heat Mechanical

States of Energy
The most common energy conversion is the conversion between potential and kinetic energy. All forms of energy can be in either of two states:

Potential Kinetic

States of Energy: Kinetic and Potential Energy

Kinetic

Energy is the energy of motion. Potential Energy is stored energy.

Kinetic Energy
The energy of motion is called kinetic energy. The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has. The greater the mass of a moving object, the more kinetic energy it has. Kinetic energy depends on both mass and velocity.

Kinetic Energy
K.E. = mass x velocity 2

What has a greater affect of kinetic energy, mass or velocity? Why?

Potential Energy

Potential Energy is stored energy.

Stored chemically in fuel, the nucleus of atom, and in foods. Or stored because of the work done on it:
Stretching a rubber band. Winding a watch. Pulling back on a bows arrow. Lifting a brick high in the air.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Potential energy that is dependent on height is called gravitational potential energy.

Potential Energy

Energy that is stored due to being stretched or compressed is called elastic potential energy.

Gravitational Potential Energy

A waterfall, a suspension bridge, and a falling snowflake all have gravitational potential energy.

Gravitational Potential Energy

If you stand on a 3meter diving board, you have 3 times the G.P.E, than you had on a 1-meter diving board.

Gravitational Potential Energy

The bigger they are the harder they fall is not just a saying. Its true. Objects with more mass have greater G.P.E. The formula to find G.P.E. is G.P.E. = Weight X Height.

Kinetic-Potential Energy Conversion

Roller coasters work because of the energy that is built into the system. Initially, the cars are pulled mechanically up the tallest hill, giving them a great deal of potential energy. From that point, the conversion between potential and kinetic energy powers the cars throughout the entire ride.

Kinetic vs. Potential Energy

At the point of maximum potential energy, the car has minimum kinetic energy.

The Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy can be neither created nor destroyed by ordinary means.

It can only be converted from one form to another. If energy seems to disappear, then scientists look for it leading to many important discoveries.

Law of Conservation of Energy

In 1905, Albert Einstein said that mass and energy can be converted into each other. He showed that if matter is destroyed, energy is created, and if energy is destroyed mass is created.

E = MC2

Characteristics of a good source of fuel :i) It should have a high energy output per unit mass or volume. ii) It should be easily available. iii) It should be easy to store and transport. iv) It should be economical.

Sources of energy :There are two main sources of energy. They are conventional and non conventional sources of energy.

i) Conventional sources of energy :- are wood, flowing water

and fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas).

ii) Non conventional sources of energy :- are solar energy, wind

energy, biomass energy, ocean energy (tidal energy, wave energy, ocean thermal energy), geothermal energy, nuclear energy etc. Some sources of energy are renewable like sun, wind, flowing water, ocean, wood, biomass etc. Some sources of energy are non renewable like coal, petroleum and natural gas.

Conventional sources of energy :a) Fossil fuels :- are fuels formed inside the earth from the remains of plants and animals after millions of years. The fossil fuels are coal, petroleum and natural gas. Fossil fuels are non renewable sources of energy so they should be conserved and used judiciously. Disadvantages of fossil fuels :i) Burning of fossil fuels release gases and harmful particles which causes air pollution. ii) Burning of fossil fuels release acidic oxides of sulphur and nitrogen which causes acid rain which is harmful for living organisms, affects soil and water, causes damage to buildings, corrosion of metals etc. iii) Burning of fossil fuels release a large amount of carbon dioxide gas which increases the temperature of the atmosphere and causes global warming (green house effect).

b) Thermal power plants :In thermal power plants the heat energy produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, petroleum or natural gas is used to heat water and change it into steam which rotates the turbines of generators to produce electricity.

c) Hydro power plants :In hydro power plants water from rivers are stored by constructing dams. The water from the dam flows down through pipes and rotates the turbines of generators to produce electricity. Advantages :i) Flowing water is a renewable source of energy. ii) The electricity produced does not cause pollution. iii) The water stored in dams can also be used to control floods and for irrigation. Disadvantages :i) The initial cost is high. ii) Large areas of land gets submerged and the decomposition of vegetation produces methane gas which is a green house gas. iii) It causes displacement of people from large areas of land.

THERMAL POWER PLANT

d) Biomass energy :The waste materials and dead parts of living things are called biomass. Eg :- wood, animal dung, vegetable waste, agricultural waste, sewage etc. Biomass is decomposed by anaerobic microorganisms to produce biogas. Biogas is a mixture of gases containing methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide.

Biogas plant :The biogas plant has a large underground tank made of bricks and cement. The lower part is the digester and the upper part has a dome with a gas outlet. On one side of the tank above the ground is a mixing tank and on the other side is an overflow tank. Animal dung is mixed with water in the mixing tank and the slurry is sent into the digester. In the digester the slurry is decomposed by anaerobic microorganisms and after a few days biogas is produced. The gas is taken out through the gas outlet and used for heating and lighting purposes. The slurry left behind is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus and is used as manure for crops.

FIXED DOME TYPE BIOGAS PLANT

e) Wind energy :Wind energy is used in wind mills which converts the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical or electrical energy. The kinetic energy of wind can be used to do mechanical work like lifting water from wells or grinding grains in flour mills. It can also be used to rotate the turbines of generators to produce electricity. A single wind mill produces only a small amount of electricity. So a large number of wind mills in a large area are coupled together to produce more electricity in wind energy farms. Advantages :i) It is a renewable source of energy. ii) It does not cause pollution. iii) The recurring cost is less. Disadvantages :i) Wind is not available at all times. ii) It requires a large area of land. iii) A minimum wind speed of 15 km/h is required.

WIND MILL

WIND ENERGY FARM

Non conventional sources of energy :a) Solar energy :Solar energy is the energy obtained from the sun in the form of heat and light. The heat energy is used in solar heating devices like solar cooker, solar water heater, solar furnaces etc. The light energy is used in solar cells.

i) Solar cooker :The box type solar cooker has an insulated box painted black inside. It is covered by a glass plate which allows heat to enter inside but does not allow heat to escape out. It has a mirror to reflect more sunlight into the box. The food to be cooked is kept in containers inside the box It can produce a temperature of 100 to 140.

ii) Solar water heater :A solar water heater has an insulated box painted black inside with a system of copper tubes. It is covered with a glass plate which allows heat to enter inside but does not allow heat to escape out. When water flows through the copper tube it absorbs heat and becomes hot.

iii) Solar cells :Solar cell is a device which converts solar energy into electrical energy. Solar cells are made from semi conductors like silicon, germanium, gallium etc. A single solar cell produces a voltage of about 0.5 to 1 V and produces about 0.7 W electricity. So several solar cells are arranged in a solar panel to produce more electricity. Advantages :i) It uses renewable source of energy. ii) It produces electricity which does not cause pollution. iii) It can be used in remote areas where there is no power supply. Disadvantages :i) It uses a special grade of silicon which is expensive. ii) Since silver is used for connecting the cells together it is more expensive. iii) The current produced is DC and to convert it to AC increases the cost.

BOX TYPE SOLAR COOKER

SOLAR WATER HEATER

SOLAR CELL

SOLAR PANELS

SOLAR LAMP

b) Energy from the sea :Energy from the sea is obtained in three different forms. They are Tidal energy, Sea wave energy and Ocean thermal energy.

i) Tidal energy :The periodic rise and fall of sea level due to gravitational attraction of the moon causes tides. A dam is constructed at a narrow opening between the land and sea. The movement of water during high tide and low tide can be used to rotate the turbines of generators to produce electricity.

ii) Sea wave energy :When strong wind blows over the sea it produces huge waves. The kinetic energy of the moving waves can be used to rotate the turbines of generators to produce electricity.

iii) Ocean thermal energy :There is a temperature difference between the warm surface water and the cold water at the bottom of the oceans. This difference is about 20C. The warm surface water is used to boil liquid ammonia and the vapour is used to rotate the turbines of generators to produce electricity. The cold water from the bottom is then pumped up to cool the vapour back to liquid.

TIDAL ENERGY

SEA WAVE ENERGY

OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY

c) Geothermal energy :The deeper regions of the earths crust is very hot. This heat melts rocks and forms magma. The magma moves up and collects below at some places called Hot spots. The underground water in contact with hot spot gets heated into steam at high pressure. By drilling holes into hot spots the steam coming out can be used to rotate turbines of generators to produce electricity.

GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT

d) Nuclear energy :Nuclear energy is the energy is the energy released during nuclear reactions. During nuclear reactions some mass is converted into energy and so a very large amount of energy is produced during nuclear reactions. Nuclear reactions are of two types. They are Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. i) Nuclear fission :- is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of a heavy atom like uranium, plutonium, etc. splits into smaller nuclei with the release of a large amount of energy. It is used to make atom bombs and to produce electricity. In a nuclear power plant the heat energy produced by a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction is used to produce steam which rotates the turbines of generators to produce electricity. ii) Nuclear fusion :- is a nuclear reaction in which small nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus with the release of a very large amount of energy. The energy of sun is produced by the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form helium nucleus. It is also used to make the hydrogen bomb. Advantages of nuclear energy :i) It produces a very large amount of energy per unit mass than any other source of energy. ii) If safety measures are taken, it is more environment friendly than fossil fuels. Disadvantages of nuclear energy :i) The cost of a nuclear reactor is very high. ii) The availability of nuclear fuel is limited. iii) Nuclear reactors produce harmful nuclear wastes which is difficult to dispose.

NUCLEAR FISSION

NUCLEAR FISSION CHAIN REACTION

NUCLEAR FUSION

NUCLEAR FUSION

Nature of Energy
Energy

is all around you!

You can hear energy as sound. You can see energy as light. And you can feel it as wind.

Nature of Energy

Living organisms need energy for growth and movement.

Nature of Energy

Energy is involved when:

a bird flies. a bomb explodes. rain falls from the sky. electricity flows in a wire.

Evidence for Global Warming?

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