ENERGY
Energy is seen everywhere, it can be visualized in
form of substances, felt in the case of kicking a soccer ball, but can’t be
felt, seen, smell or heard in a direct way, all we perceive are its effects.
Energy takes different forms, kicking a ball, which
is kinetic energy (energy in motion), a boy standing which is potential energy
(energy at rest), a ball falling (gravitational energy), energy stored in
petrol (chemical energy), energy in an elastic rubber (elastic energy),
movement of piston in automobile engine (mechanical energy), energy from the
sun (solar energy), energy produced by reacting radioactive elements (nuclear
energy), energy in wires carry current (electrical energy).
These multiple forms of energy can be converted into
each other. A match stick converts chemical energy into heat energy. Which brings
about the law which states, energy can be transferred from one form to another, but cannot be
created nor destroyed. Which is the first law of thermodynamics, the law of
conservation of energy.
FORMS OF ENERGY
There are many forms of energy but basically they
fall under these two categories, the potential and kinetic energy.
POTENTIAL ENERGY
Potential energy is energy at rest or of position,
some of it’s forms are:
CHEMICAL ENERGY
it is energy stored in bonds of atoms
of molecules, plants releases its chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Energy stored in the nucleus of an
atom, the energy that holds the nucleus together. The energy can be released
when the nuclei are combined or split apart.
GRAVITATIONAL ENERGY
Energy of position or place. A rock
resting at the top of a hill contains gravitational potential energy.
Hydropower, such as water in a reservoir behind a dam, is an example of
gravitational potential energy.
KINETIC ENERGY
Kinetic energy is the energy in
motion, the motion of wind, waves, molecules e.t.c
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
The movement of electrons. Everything
is made of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms are made of even smaller
particles called electrons, protons, and neutrons. Applying a force can make some
of the electrons move. Electrons moving through a wire are called electricity.
THERMAL OR HEAT ENERGY
The internal energy in substances, the
vibration and movement of atoms and molecules within substances. The faster
molecules and atoms vibrate and move within substances, the more energy they
possess and the hotter they become. Geothermal energy is an example of thermal
energy.
SOUND ENERGY
The movement of energy through
substances in longitudinal (compression/rarefaction) waves. Sound is produced when
a force causes an object or substance to vibrate. The energy is transferred
through the substance in a wave.
SOURCES OF ENERGY
The sources of energy can be
classified into two namely: Renewable and non-renewable energy.
NONRENEWABLE ENERGY
These energy sources are called
nonrenewable because they cannot be replenished in a short period of time. Sources
include coal, petroleum, natural gas, propane, and uranium. They are used to
generate electricity, to heat our homes, to move our cars, and to manufacture
products.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Sources include biomass, geothermal,
hydropower, solar, and wind. They are called renewable energy sources because
their supplies are replenished in a short time.
