Transcript Energy Basics - the Red Clay Secondary Science Wiki!!

Energy Basics
Energy
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The ability to do work or cause change
Either potential or kinetic
Potential Energy

Energy that is stored. The snow on the
mountain top represents potential energy.
Potential Energy

Potential energy is highest when the
object is at a higher point, like this roller
coaster on the top of a hill. The higher the
hill the greater the potential energy.
What is Mechanical Energy?
Energy due to a
object’s motion (kinetic)
or position (potential).
o
The bowling ball has
mechanical energy.
When the ball strikes
the pins, mechanical
energy is transferred to
the pins!
Potential Energy

The more mass something has the greater
its potential energy. In the picture below
the man holding the weight above his
head is holding a lot of potential energy.
Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion
Kinetic Energy
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The faster the motion the greater the
kinetic energy. When the roller coaster
starts down the hill it has kinetic energy.
The point where the car is going the
fastest is where the kinetic energy is the
greatest.
Forms of Energy
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Energy can be found in many forms
Can be converted from one form or
another
Conversion can be both man made and a
natural process
Forms include chemical, thermal, elastic,
radiant, mechanical and nuclear.
What is Electromagnetic
Energy?
o
Light energy
Includes energy from
gamma rays, xrays,
ultraviolet rays, visible
light, infrared rays,
microwave and radio
bands
o
QUIZ TIME!
What energy transformation
occurs when an electric lamp is
turned on?
ELECTRICAL ENERGY

ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY
QUIZ TIME!
What type of energy
cooks food in a
microwave oven?
ELECTROMAGNETIC
ENERGY
What type of energy is
the spinning plate inside
of a microwave oven?
MECHANICAL ENERGY
Chemical Energy
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Stored in chemical bonds holding the
atoms of compounds together
Food, wood, batteries, fossil fuels
Chemical Energy

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When a chemical reaction takes place
energy is used.
If energy is pulled in from the surrounding
area during a chemical reaction, the area
gets cold and the reaction is endothermic.
Commercial ice packs for injuries work this
way.
Chemical Energy
Plants can make their own energy through a
process called photosynthesis. They are
the bases for a food chain. All other living
things that cannot carry on photosynthesis
depend on plants for their energy.
Energy Transformation
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In photosynthesis radiant or light energy
from the sun is changed to chemical
energy in the leaf.
Chemical Energy

Other living things can get energy from
eating plants or eating things that eat
plants.
Chemical Energy

The energy we eat is stored as potential
chemical energy until we need it. When
we use the energy through an activity
then it becomes kinetic mechanical
energy.
What type of energy is shown below?
Chemical Energy
What type of energy is shown below?
Chemical Energy (yummy)
Electrical Energy
Energy of moving electrons
 Invisible but most useful
form

Energy Transformation
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Electrical energy can come from many different
sources. The sources can be solar, nuclear,
mechanical or generally chemical. In Texas most
of the electricity comes from the burning of coal.
The energy transformation that takes place
would be:
Coal (chemical)->moving turbines (mechanical)>moving electrons (electrical)-> our homes
Mechanical Energy
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Most familiar-involved with moving objects;
atoms are moving and pushing each other
Sound is an example-occurs when atoms in a
media vibrate in a direction outward from the
sound source. Sometimes, sound is classified as
its own energy source.
Mechanical Energy

When we move or work we are using
mechanical energy.
Examples of Mechanical Energy
What types of energy are shown below?
Mechanical and Thermal Energy
(Don’t forget friction)
Energy Transformations

Automobiles use chemical energy (fossil
fuels) which is converted to mechanical
energy when they move.
Radiant or Light Energy
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Produced when atoms absorb energy from
an outside source and release energy as
electromagnetic radiation
Most are invisible except for visible light
UV rays, X-rays, radio waves
Radiant or Light Energy

Our ultimate energy source is radiant
energy from the sun.
Radiant or Light Energy
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In a light stick you have chemical energy
stored in the vial. When you bend the
stick and break it then light energy is
released.
Radiant or Light Energy
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We use light energy in our homes.
Many people have switched to compact
fluorescent light bulbs over other light
bulbs (incandescent) because they do not
put out as much heat (thermal energy).
The compact florescent bulbs are more
energy efficient so they help in energy
conservation.
Thermal Energy

Volcanoes can be a natural source of
thermal energy. When we use the heat of
the earth it is called geothermal energy.
What type of energy is shown below?
Thermal Energy
Elastic Energy
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Energy stored in a solid object when it is
either stretched or compressed.
A stretched rubber band, compressed
spring or jack-in-the-box
QUIZ TIME!
Electrical energy is
transported to your house
through power lines.
When you plug an electric fan
to a power outlet, electrical
energy is transform into what
type of energy?
MECHANICAL ENERGY
What types of energy are shown below?
Electrical, Mechanical and
Electromagnetic Energy
Nuclear Energy
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Energy stored in the nuclei of atoms
Released by fission, the splitting of nuclei
of heavy atoms
Released by fusion-the combining of
nuclei of light atoms
Nuclear Energy
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When the energy released from the
splitting of an atom was discovered this
made the equation make sense. There is
an infinite amount of power in nuclear
energy. This is what powers stars like our
sun. Hydrogen is turned into helium. This
process will continue until our sun runs
out of hydrogen. This will be in about 4
billion years.
Nuclear Energy

We are trying to harvest the power of the
atom when we use nuclear energy.
Transformation of energy
According to this model, energy takes on different forms, for example
chemical, heat, light, etc. Energy is transformed or changed from one
form or type to another when a change occurs.
Typical use of language:
 ‘The chemical energy in the battery is transformed into
electrical
energy in the wires and then to light and heat energy in the
bulb.’
 ‘The light energy from the Sun is changed into chemical energy
in the leaf.’
 ‘Chemical energy in the reaction is changed into light and heat.’
 ‘The chemical energy in the weightlifter’s muscles is changed
into
kinetic energy when the bar is being lifted and is changed into
potential energy at the top of the lift.’
Energy transfer
In this model the energy is located in one place, and when something
happens energy is transferred from that place to another by a process.
Typical use of language:
 ‘The energy in the battery is transferred to the bulb by electricity
and
then from the bulb to the surroundings by light. Some energy is
transferred to the surroundings by heating.’
 ‘Energy from the Sun is transferred to the leaf cells by light.’
 ‘Energy is transferred from the reacting chemicals to the
surroundings by heating and light.’
 ‘A weightlifter transfers energy from his muscles to the bar by
lifting (moving) his arms.’
Energy transformation
Light
Electrical
Heat
Chemical
Energy transfer
Light
Electric current
Surroundings
Cell
Bulb
Heating
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Draw a flow map showing the flow of
energy transformations in a car from
starting vehicle to driving. You
should have 5 different types of
energy.
Energy Transfer
Sound
(mechanical)
Thermal
Electrical
Mechanical
Chemical
Light
(Electromagnetic)