Energy Transformations
Energy is continually changing from one form to another. These changes from one
energy form to another are called transformations.
Tracking Energy TransformationsThree energy transformations:
The Biker
• Leg muscles transform Chemical energy into Kinetic – some of it is transferred to the bike
• As he goes up the hill, some of this energy changes to potential
• As his body gets warmer the chemical energy is turned into thermal
• * Thermal energy is always one of the products of an energy transformation
ENERGY CAN NEITHER BE CREATED NOR DESTROYED – IT CAN ONLY BE CHANGED!
Law of Conservation of Energy
Changing Kinetic & Potential
• The tossed baseball example uses both kinetic and potential
• The Mechanical Energy of an object is the SUM of the object’s potential and kinetic energy; so the mechanical energy of the ball remained constant as it rose into the and then fell back down
• Friction can cause mechanical energy to decrease (ex. Sliding book)
Using Chemical Energy
• Food• Muscle Use
Using Thermal Energy
• All forms of energy can be transformed into thermal energy
• Burns• Electric Wires• Heat buildings• Thermal energy will always move from a
warmer material to a cooler one– Conduction, Convection and Radiation
Using Radient Energy
• A sun tan- radient energy is from the Sun is transferred into chemical energy on your skin and you get darker
• Visible light produces energy you can see• Radient can also be transferred into electrical
(X-rays, gamma rays)
Using Electrical Energy
• One of the most useful forms of energy• Electrical is converted into radient to provide
us with light• Converted into thermal to heat up
homes/buildings• Converted into kinetic to make electric motors
move
Electrical Energy
• A generator is a device that is used to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy
• Burning fossil fuels produces thermal energy that is used to boil water and produce steam
• In a power plant, steam is used to spin a turbine which then spins an electric generator
Organized and Disorganized Energy
• Energy cannot be created nor destroyed – however the more we use it the less useful energy we have available
• Useful energy that is organized and concentrated in a certain area does not spread out
• Energy that is spread out, like waste thermal energy, is disorganized energy
• The amount of disorganized energy in the universe is always increasing