Science 110 - Energy Case

Energy

Crystal King

Instructor: Ram Gupta

Science 110

January 23, 2012

Energy

First discuss how energy can be converted from one form to another, giving specific examples. The simple pendulum is one good example of a conversion. A simple pendulum is an object that is suspended by a string or wire for support, which is called a bob. The bob will swing back and forth in an arc if it is moved to one side and released (Integrated Science, pg. 64). When the bob climbs through the other half of the arc, it gains potential energy and loses kinetic energy until it reaches and stops at the top, and the process starts over. The bob at the bottom of the arc is the kinetic energy that is equal to the potential energy at the top of the arc. Any form of energy can be converted from one form to another. Another example is a light bulb because it converts electrical energy into radiant energy. A vehicle converts chemical energy to mechanical energy. The hydraulic energy is converted into electrical energy in hydro power plants (Integrated Science, pg. 64). Another example is when Humans lit the fire. By burning wood, they generated heat when they released the chemical energy stored in the bonds of the wood molecules. Other examples are that batteries generate electrons from chemical reactions to make electrical energy. The electrical energy in a toaster is converted into heat. When a person pedals a bike their legs converts the chemical energy stored in their muscles into kinetic energy. The chemical energy comes from our food consisting of plants, animals that eat plants, and plants and animals together (www.classroom-energy.com).

Define what we mean by fossil fuels and explain why they are an attractive source of energy. Fossil fuels are organic fuels that contain the stored radiant energy of the sun converted to chemical energy by plants or animals that lived millions of years ago (Integrated Science, pg. 67). Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are the common fossil fuels. Solar radiation is an attractive source of energy because it is incorporated into a thermal system by converting sunlight into heat. Various uses include space heating, industrial process steam, and electricity production. There are several limitations of large-scale utilization of solar energy, including solar cell costs and solar collector heat exchanger systems, and an adequate energy stager requirement for daily variation. Wind energy is another form of indirect use of solar radiation. The air is heated when the solar radiation produces wind. During the day, the air is heated much faster over land than it is over water bodies because the land absorbs less sunlight and evaporation. The heated air over land rises, expands, and becomes lighter. A horizontal motion of air is created when the cooler, heavier air over large water bodies move in to replace the lighter and warmer air. At night the land cools faster than water and the cool air moves