Subject: Physics

Topic: Energy

 What is energy?
Energy is the ability (or capacity) to do (or perform) work. It is measured in Joule (J).

 Sources of energy
Energy sources can be divided into two categories which are renewable and non-renewable
sources of energy.
 Renewable sources of energy
Renewable source of energy are natural resources that can be replenished or regenerated over
time. These sources are considered sustainable because they can be used indefinitely without
depleting their supply. Here are some examples of renewable energy sources:

Renewable Energy Sources:

1. Solar Energy: Solar power harnesses the energy from the sun and converts it into usable electricity or
heat. This is done through the use of solar panels or solar thermal systems.

2. Wind Energy: Wind power utilizes the kinetic energy of the wind to generate electricity. Wind
turbines capture the wind's energy and convert it into electrical power.

3. Hydroelectric Power: Hydroelectric power is generated by harnessing the energy of flowing or falling
water. It involves the construction of dams or water turbines to convert the water's energy into
electricity.

4. Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy utilizes the heat from the Earth's core to generate
electricity or heat buildings. It involves tapping into geothermal reservoirs through wells or using heat
pumps to extract heat from the ground.

5. Biomass Energy: Biomass energy is derived from organic matter, such as plants, agricultural waste, or
wood pellets. It can be used to produce heat, electricity, or biofuels.

6. Tidal Energy: Tidal power harnesses the energy from the tides, which are caused by the gravitational
pull of the moon and the sun. Tidal turbines or barrages are used to convert this energy into electricity.

These renewable energy sources offer several advantages over non-renewable sources, including reduced
greenhouse gas emissions, minimal environmental impact, and long-term sustainability. They play a crucial
role in transitioning towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
  Non-renewable energy source

A non-renewable source of energy is an energy resource that cannot be replenished or

1. Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels are derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals that were buried
and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. The three main types of fossil fuels are coal,
oil (petroleum), and natural gas.

2. Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy is generated through the process of nuclear fission, where the
nucleus of an atom is split to release a large amount of energy. It is primarily derived from uranium and
other radioactive elements.

These non-renewable sources of energy have been the primary sources of energy for human civilization
for many years. However, they have significant environmental impacts and contribute to climate change
due to the release of greenhouse gases when burned. Additionally, their limited supply raises concerns
about future energy security and rising costs. As a result, there is a growing shift towards renewable
energy sources to meet our energy needs in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

Renewable and non-renewable sources of energy differ in their availability and environmental impact.
Here are the key differences between the two:

Renewable Energy Source

1. Availability: Renewable energy sources are naturally replenished and virtually inexhaustible. They rely
on ongoing natural processes, such as sunlight, wind, water (hydro), geothermal heat, and biomass. These
sources can be used repeatedly without depleting their supply.

2. Environmental Impact: Renewable energy sources generally have lower environmental impacts
compared to non-renewable sources. They produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the
contribution to climate change. They also have minimal air and water pollution and do not generate
hazardous waste.

3. Sustainability: Renewable energy sources are considered sustainable because they can be harnessed
indefinitely without depleting natural resources. They offer long-term energy solutions and can help
reduce dependence on finite resources.

Examples of renewable energy sources include solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power, geothermal
energy, and biomass.
Non-Renewable Energy Sources:

1. Availability: Non-renewable energy sources are finite and will eventually be depleted. They are formed
over millions of years and cannot be replenished within a human lifespan. Examples include fossil fuels
like coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as nuclear energy (from uranium).

2. Environmental Impact: Non-renewable energy sources have significant environmental impacts. Burning
fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. They also produce air pollution,
such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can harm human health and the environment.
Extracting and processing these resources can lead to habitat destruction and water pollution.

3. Depletion: Non-renewable energy sources are being consumed at a faster rate than they can be
replenished. As a result, there is a growing concern about the future availability and rising costs of
these resources.

While non-renewable energy sources still play a significant role in global energy production, there is a
growing shift towards renewable energy due to environmental concerns and the desire for long-term
sustainability.

 Forms or types of energy

Here is a list of different forms of energy with examples:

1. Mechanical Energy: Mechanical energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or
position. It can be divided into two types:

- Kinetic Energy: Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object in motion. For example, a moving
car, a spinning turbine, or a person running.

- Potential Energy: Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or
condition. Examples include a stretched spring, a raised weight, or water stored in a dam.

2. Thermal Energy: Thermal energy is the energy associated with the temperature of an object or a
substance. It is related to the motion of atoms and molecules within the object. Examples include the
heat from a fire, a hot cup of coffee, or the warmth of the sun.

3. Chemical Energy: Chemical energy is stored in the bonds between atoms and molecules. It is released
during chemical reactions. Examples include the energy stored in food, batteries, or fossil fuels like coal,
oil, and natural gas.

4. Electrical Energy: Electrical energy is the movement of electrons through a conductor. It is generated
by the flow of electric charge. Examples include electricity from power plants, batteries, or lightning.

5. Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy is released during nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fission or fusion.
It is derived from the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. Examples include the energy produced in
nuclear power plants or the energy released by the sun.
6. Electromagnetic Energy: Electromagnetic energy is a form of energy that travels in waves and
includes various forms of radiation. Examples include visible light, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and
gamma rays.

7. Sound Energy: Sound energy is produced by vibrations that travel through a medium, such as air,
water, or solids. Examples include the sound of a musical instrument, a person speaking, or a thunderclap.

8. Gravitational Energy: Gravitational energy is the potential energy associated with an object's position
in a gravitational field. It depends on the object's height and mass. Examples include a raised weight, a
roller coaster at the top of a hill, or water stored in a reservoir.

These are some of the main forms of energy, and they can often be converted from one form to
another. Understanding these different types of energy is crucial for understanding how energy is
generated, used, and transformed in various systems and processes.

 The law of conservation of energy

The law of conservation of energy, also known as the first law of thermodynamics, states that energy
cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system. It can only be transformed from one form to
another or transferred from one object to another. The total amount of energy in a closed system
remains constant.

This principle is based on the idea that energy is a fundamental quantity in the universe and is neither
created nor destroyed. It can only change its form or be transferred between different objects or
systems.

According to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy of a system is always conserved. This
means that the sum of all the different forms of energy within a system remains constant over time,
even though the individual forms of energy may change. For example, potential energy can be converted
into kinetic energy, or thermal energy can be converted into mechanical energy.

This law has far-reaching implications and is fundamental to understanding and analyzing various physical
processes, such as energy transformations, energy transfers, and the behavior of different systems. It
is a fundamental principle in physics and is used to explain and predict the behavior of energy in various
natural and man-made systems.

Here are 50 examples of energy transformations in various devices:

1. Gasoline-powered car: Chemical energy (from gasoline) to mechanical energy (engine motion)

2. Solar-powered calculator: Solar energy to electrical energy

3. Wind turbine: Wind energy to electrical energy

4. Hydroelectric dam: Potential energy (water height) to electrical energy

5. Battery-powered flashlight: Chemical energy (from batteries) to light energy

7. Nuclear power plant: Nuclear energy to electrical energy

8. Coal-fired power plant: Chemical energy (from coal) to electrical energy

9. Bicycle: Mechanical energy (from pedaling) to kinetic energy

10. Electric heater: Electrical energy to thermal energy

11. Microwave oven: Electrical energy to thermal energy (heating food)

12. Solar water heater: Solar energy to thermal energy (heating water)

13. Geothermal power plant: Geothermal energy to electrical energy

14. Electric stove: Electrical energy to thermal energy (cooking food)

15. Radio: Electrical energy to sound energy

16. Television: Electrical energy to light and sound energy

17. Laptop computer: Electrical energy to various forms of energy (light, sound, thermal, etc.)

18. Cell phone: Electrical energy to sound and electromagnetic energy

19. Air conditioner: Electrical energy to thermal energy (cooling air)

20. Refrigerator: Electrical energy to thermal energy (cooling food)

21. Hairdryer: Electrical energy to thermal energy (heating air)

22. Electric kettle: Electrical energy to thermal energy (heating water)

23. Solar-powered watch: Solar energy to electrical energy (powering the watch)

24. Digital camera: Light energy to electrical energy (capturing images)

25. X-ray machine: Electrical energy to electromagnetic energy (producing X-rays)

26. Wind-up clock: Mechanical energy (from winding) to kinetic energy (clock movement)

27. Flash camera: Chemical energy (in the battery) to light energy (producing a flash)

28. Electric toothbrush: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (brushing teeth)

29. Electric guitar: Electrical energy to sound energy

30. Speaker: Electrical energy to sound energy

31. Hair straightener: Electrical energy to thermal energy (heating hair)

33. Electric lawnmower: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (cutting grass)

34. Electric bike: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (propelling the bike)

35. Electric skateboard: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (moving the skateboard)

36. Electric scooter: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (moving the scooter)

37. Electric wheelchair: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (moving the wheelchair)

38. Electric train: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (propelling the train)

39. Electric boat: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (propelling the boat)

40. Electric aircraft: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (propelling the aircraft)

41. Electric forklift: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (lifting and moving loads)

42. Electric elevator: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (lifting and lowering the elevator)

43. Electric escalator: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (moving the escalator steps)

44. Electric car charger: Electrical energy to chemical energy (charging the car battery)

45. Electric car: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (propelling the car)

46. Electric train: Electrical energy to mechanical energy (propelling the train)

47. Electric oven: Electrical energy to thermal energy (cooking food)

48. Electric grill: Electrical energy to thermal energy (grilling food)

49. Electric blanket: Electrical energy to thermal energy (heating the blanket)

50. Electric fireplace: Electrical energy to thermal energy (heating the room)

These examples demonstrate the diverse range of devices and the various energy transformations that
occur within them.
  Sankey diagram

An energy transfer diagram or a Sankey diagram is used to show the transfer of energy across a
process or a device. It is a flow diagram in which the widths of the arrows show the relative
amounts of each type of energy.