Underpinning Energy Concepts

Underpinning Energy Concepts

Introduction to Energy

• Energy is the ability to carry out work or cause a change.

• Energy comes in various forms: kinetic, thermal, chemical, potential, electrical, nuclear, mechanical, gravitational, and many more.

• The basic principle of energy conservation states that energy can be neither created nor destroyed (referred to as the Law of Conservation of Energy), but it can change from one form to another.

• Energy transfer is the process by which energy is switched from one form to another, like how a toaster turns electrical energy into heat energy.

Fuels and Energy Production

• Energy is often derived from fuels, which are substances that can harbour a significant amount of energy. Examples include petrol, gas, coal, and wood.

• Combustion is the process by which fuels burn in the presence of oxygen to release energy.

• Exothermic reactions involve the release of energy, while endothermic reactions absorb energy.

Electricity and Energy Resources

• Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. It is a secondary energy source which means we get it from the conversion of other sources of energy.

• Energy resources can be either renewable like wind power, solar power, hydroelectricity and biofuels or non-renewable like coal, natural gas and nuclear power.

Heat and Energy Transfer

• Heat energy can be transferred between objects in three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation.

• Conduction is the method of heat transfer in solids, convection is the method in liquids and gases, while radiation involves the transmission of energy as electromagnetic waves.

Energy and the Environment

• Carbon emissions are released when fossil fuels are burned, significantly contributing to climate change.

• Renewable energy sources provide an alternative to fossil fuels, decreasing our reliance on them and reducing carbon emissions.

• Energy conservation refers to the practice of reducing the use of energy to increase energy efficiency and lessen environmental impact. Examples include insulating buildings to keep them warm and installing solar panels to generate electricity.