Fossil fuels are the most common energy source, but their finite supply and environmental impact have led to the development of alternative sources. Nuclear fission, hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy are among the most popular renewable sources, with wind energy being considered a major contributor to national energy needs in some regions. There are myriad […]
Geothermal energy comes from the earth’s heat, generated by magma and radioactive decay. It’s not as abundant as solar energy but is harnessed by 20+ countries, notably Iceland. Extracting energy involves boiling water to drive turbines, but current technology only reaches pockets of heat near the surface. It’s not strictly renewable, but slowly renews itself […]
The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system, but can be transformed into different forms. Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses while in motion, while potential energy is stored energy due to gravity, electric, magnetic, or elastic force fields. The law applies to […]
Chemical energy is stored and released by making and breaking bonds between atoms. It can be released by forming new bonds or rearranging molecules. Examples include photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, explosives, and batteries. Combustion, explosives, and fuels are considered chemical stores of energy. Batteries use chemical reactions to produce electricity. Chemical energy is stored and released […]
Solar energy is a versatile and clean source of renewable energy that can be used in various applications. Solar panels convert the sun’s energy into heat or electricity, and there are two ways to obtain solar energy: solar thermal and photoelectric applications. However, there are some disadvantages, such as the need for a significant financial […]
Natural energy from sources such as the sun, wind, and water is clean and renewable, unlike polluting fossil fuels. Solar energy is created by panels or heat collectors, while wind and hydroelectricity use natural forces. Fossil fuels are harmful and non-renewable, and their use contributes to environmental damage. The shift towards renewable energy is important […]
Sound energy is produced by vibrations that cause pressure waves, which translate into noise. It is a form of mechanical energy that is not easily harnessed for human energy needs. Sound energy is generated by anything that makes noise and is measured in pascals and decibels. It is perceived by the human ear and animals […]
The Sun produces 386 trillion gigawatts of energy through nuclear fusion, which is slowly declining. This energy is responsible for life on Earth and may replace fossil fuels in the future. Sunspot activity causes variations in energy output, and the Sun’s energy has increased by 40% since the solar system’s formation. Our Sun pumps about […]
Green energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power, are being developed to minimize the negative impact of energy production on the environment. Fossil fuels are a major contributor to global warming, and green energy sources are seen as a way to reduce the rate of climate change. Hydroelectric energy is a popular […]
The potential energy formula, PE = mgh, can be used to calculate an object’s potential and kinetic energy, as well as identify missing variables. It can also be modified to calculate potential energy changes and determine an object’s height. The formula is commonly used to determine an object’s energy capabilities without propulsive force. The basic […]
Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy in a mechanical system, often simplified for high school physics. The total mechanical energy can be calculated by adding the potential and kinetic energy of the system. Mechanical energy is different from chemical and nuclear energy and can be converted into other types of energy. […]
Electromagnetic energy takes many forms, including light and heat, and travels at the speed of light. The entire range of wavelengths is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation can behave as waves or particles, known as photons. Quantum electrodynamics explains the particle behavior of EMR. EMR is produced when matter temporarily absorbs energy and […]
Potential energy is stored energy that can be released as motion energy. Different types of objects have potential energy, including fuel, food, and springs. The formula for potential energy depends on the type of energy stored, with gravitational potential energy being calculated using PE = mgh. Energy is conserved, meaning potential energy can be converted […]
Solar energy is a renewable energy source that converts radiant light energy into electric current. The most common way to harness solar energy is through an array of solar panels and storage batteries. Solar-powered homes can maintain a power supply for appliances and heating/cooling systems, and hospitals are also adopting solar energy as a backup […]
Nuclear energy can be natural or created by humans. Nuclear fusion is a natural process, while nuclear fission is used in power plants. Nuclear power plants generate electricity by using the heat from the nuclear reaction to generate steam. While there are potential dangers, nuclear power plants have the potential to benefit the environment by […]
Mechanical energy is the energy produced by physical movement and work, including falling weights, rotating objects, and flowing water. It is the sum of kinetic and potential energy and can be converted into different forms of energy, such as electrical energy. Examples of mechanical energy can be found in nature and human inventions, including engines […]
Solar energy is a clean, safe and sustainable source of energy that has become increasingly popular in the 21st century. There are various technologies available to harness solar energy, including solar panels, which are made up of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity. While there are still technological challenges to overcome, there have been […]
Binding energy is the energy required to split the nucleus of an atom, and is integral to discussions of nuclear fission and fusion. The missing mass in nuclear bonds is the source of binding energy. The ionization energy of electrons is more commonly called the ionization energy. Nuclear fission and fusion processes rely on the […]
Geothermal energy costs are mainly upfront, with exploration, site development, and power station construction being major factors. However, operating costs are relatively low, making it a stable and predictable investment in a country’s energy plan. Geothermal energy also provides long-term jobs and has a low environmental impact. Exploration costs can be high, but geothermal power […]
Negative energy is a scientific concept based on Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and is a highly unpredictable force that exists in energy or magnetic fields. It was proposed by Dirac in 1928 and is usually not observable. The concept has been demonstrated in experiments, including the Casimir effect. It is speculated to exist on the brink […]
