How Many Types of Energy in Physics

How Many Types of Energy in Physics

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 21, 2023 09:49 AM IST

Energy

We all use the word "energy" frequently in our daily lives. Although it is frequently misused, the term "energy" has a distinct physical meaning. In physics, we define energy as something's capacity to perform work. Numerous types of energy can be found. The different types of energy are kinetic and potential energy. On Earth, energy comes in various varieties. On Earth, energy is said to be in its elemental form from the sun. Energy is seen as a quantitative feature in physics that can be transferred from an item to carry out work. As a result, we can define energy as the capability to engage in any form of physical activity. Consequently, we can sum up the definition of energy as follows:

Energy cannot be generated or destroyed; instead, it can only be changed from one form to another, according to the laws of energy conservation. Joule is the energy measurement unit used by the International System of Units (SI). Even though there are numerous distinct types of energy, kinetic energy and potential energy are its two main manifestations.

  • The energy in motion is known as kinetic energy. Mechanical energy, electrical energy, etc. are some examples.

  • Any sort of energy that has a potential that can be released in the future is considered potential energy. Chemical and nuclear energy are a few examples.

Units of Energy

Units to quantify energy are required for the quantitative discussion. A body's ability to carry out work is defined as its energy. The SI and centimetre-gram-seconds (CGS) systems use the same units for measuring energy and work, respectively, the "Joule" and the "erg." J is used as a symbol for joule

\begin{equation}

Energy(J) = Force(N) \times Distance(M)

\end{equation}

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The energy needed to move the body by one meter with the force of one newton is defined as one joule. One Newton meter is equivalent to one joule in terms of dimensions.

Power is sometimes used to measure energy. Though technically distinct, power is still used to measure energy. Therefore, if an electric heater has a power of 1 kW and runs for an hour, it uses 1 kWh of energy.

The terms unit barrel of oil equivalent and a ton of oil equivalent are frequently used when talking about the production and use of energy. Energy foot pound-force (1.3558J), British thermal unit(BTU), and imperial/US units). It varies in value between 1055J, 2.6845 MJ (horsepower-hour), and the equivalent of a gasoline gallon (about 120 MJ).

Energy Conversion: Transfer and Transform

We are aware that energy can move from one form to another. Energy transfer is the process of moving energy from one place to another. Around us, many energy transformations can be seen.

The four methods by that energy can be transported are as follows:

  • Mechanically - via the use of force

  • According to electricity

  • Using radiation, either light or sound waves

  • By Heating - Through radiation, conduction, or convection

Energy transformation is the process through which energy transforms from one form to another. Energy can be changed or moved, but the overall amount does not change—this is what is meant by the term "energy conservation."

Basic Form of Energy in Physics

  1. Kinetic Energy

Any moving thing has kinetic energy. Our body's thermal energy is transformed into kinetic energy when we move or perform work. Kinetic energy, for instance, can be found in moving objects like air and water. Kinetic energy is mathematically defined as the product of the object's mass (m) and its squared velocity (v).

\begin{equation}

K.E. = (1/2) \times mv^2

\end{equation}

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Where the units of energy are joules (J), mass (Kg), and velocity (m/s).

  • Different types of Kinetic Energy

Radiant Energy

  • The energy that moves through waves is referred to as radiant energy. Heat is the most prevalent manifestation of this energy, which is produced by electromagnetic waves. Here are a few illustrations of radiant energy:

  • An incandescent light bulb emits two types of energy when you turn it on. Both heat and visible light are produced. Radiant energy is a term that describes both of these created energies.

  • Radiant energy includes the sun's light.

  • The quanta or packet of energy is what the radiation is. Radiation energy is the name for the energy held inside rays. Solar energy is the ideal illustration of radiation energy. Additionally, the radiation from a fire or light source can be used for a variety of tasks, including lighting, cooking, and even lighting. And the energy of photons is given by

E=\text { Planks constant }(h) \times \text { radiation frequency }(v)

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Thermal Energy

Heat or warmth is a manifestation of thermal energy, which is related to radiant energy. Thermal energy describes how active an object's atoms and molecules are, as opposed to radiant energy, which refers to waves. There is only one distinction between radiant and thermal energy. Thermal energy can take a variety of forms.

Sound Energy

Vibrations that are audible to humans are perceived as sound. Our eardrum is the final destination of the disturbance, which travels as waves via a medium like air. These vibrations travel to the eardrum where they are transformed into electrical signals that are then transferred to the brain where they are perceived as sound.

Electrical Energy

Electrons travelling via an electric conductor are carrying electrical energy. It is among the most prevalent and practical sources of energy. Consider lightning. Electrical energy can also be created by converting other types of energy. For instance, electricity is created in power plants by changing the chemical energy that is held in fuels like coal.

Mechanical Energy

The energy connected to an object's location and motion is referred to as its mechanical energy. It may have kinetic energy, potential energy, or perhaps both types of energy. As a result, mechanical energy is defined as the addition of kinetic and potential energy.

M . E=(m \times g \times h)+(1 / 2) \times m v^2

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2. Potential Energy

Potential energy is the energy resulting from the configuration of springs, as well as the water stored in the reservoir, as well as the object's height, and size (due to height) etc. In a hydroelectric power plant, a considerable quantity of energy is present since the water can fall. A higher water level and more water mean that there is more potential energy available. Mass, gravity's acceleration, and height are combined to form the formula for potential energy (h).

While the arrangement involves potential energy, it can be expressed as

\begin{array}{r}

P . E .=m g h \\

\text { or, } P . E =(1 / 2) \times k x^2

\end{array}

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where the force constant is k, and the displacement is x, respectively.

  • Different Types of Potential Energy

Gravitational potential energy

A massive object's potential energy about another massive object because of gravity is known as gravitational energy or gravitational potential energy. When two objects descend toward one another, the gravitational field's potential energy is released (turned into kinetic energy). When two objects are separated from one another, their gravitational potential energy rises. The gravitational potential energy U is given by two pairwise interacting point particles.

\begin{equation}

U=-(GMm/R)

\end{equation}

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where R is the distance between the two particles, M and m are their respective masses, and G is the gravitational constant. Near the surface of the Earth, the gravitational field is roughly constant, and an object's gravitational potential energy is given by

\begin{equation}

U=mgh

\end{equation}

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where m is the mass of the object and

g=acceleration due to gravity

The acceleration due to gravity is

\begin{equation}

g=GM/R^2

\end{equation}

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and the height of an object's centre of mass above a specified reference point is h.

Illustrations of Gravitational Potential Energy

  • River water gushing from a waterfall's summit.

  • A vehicle that is parked on a hilltop

Elastic potential energy

As a result of exerting force to deform an elastic item, elastic potential energy is stored. For the object to rebound back to its shape and perform work, the energy is saved until the force is released. Compressing, stretching, or twisting the thing could be considered defamation.

Illustrations of Elastic Potential Energy

  • The coiling of a spring

  • An archer draws back the string of their bow.

  • An elastic band that's been stretched

Chemical potential energy

The energy held within a substance's chemical bonds is known as chemical potential energy. A change in the species' particle number allows for the absorption and release of the energy.

Examples of chemical potential energy

  • Before the green leaves are illuminated by the sun (potential photosynthesis)

  • Before ignition, gasoline

  • Before to launch, fireworks

Electrical potential energy

Two factors—the charge an object carries inside and its position concerning other electrically charged objects—are what determine how much electric potential energy an object possesses. The effort required to move an object from one location to another while battling the electric field determines how much electric potential there is.

Electric potential energy is the energy that is gained when an object moves against an electric field. By dividing the potential energy by the quantity of charge for any charge, the electric potential is determined.

Examples of Electric Potential Energy

  • A switched-off incandescent light bulb

  • A malfunctioning radio tower

  • A television before turning it on

Nuclear energy

The power that each atom contains is known as nuclear energy. Atoms can be fused to create nuclear energy, or they can be split apart to produce nuclear fission energy. The approach most frequently employed is fission.

The primary input is uranium. There are several locations worldwide where uranium is mined. It is turned into tiny pellets as part of the processing (to obtain enriched uranium, the radioactive isotope). The reactor of the power plant is filled with long rods that contain these pellets. Atoms of uranium undergo a controlled chain reaction inside the reactor of an atomic power plant. Besides thorium and plutonium, other fissile materials exist.

As uranium atoms are split, more uranium atoms are struck and split in a series of events known as a chain reaction. As a result, other atoms were split in a series of events by the particles that were released. Control rods are employed in nuclear power reactors to maintain controlled splitting that does not happen too quickly. Moderators are what they are.

Heat energy is released by the chain reaction. In the reactor's core, heavy water is brought to a boil using this thermal energy. Therefore, nuclear power plants convert the energy of atoms into heat energy using the energy provided by the chain reaction instead of burning fuel. The nuclear core's surrounding heavy water is transported to another area of the power plant. Here, steam is produced by heating a different set of pipes that contain water. This second system of pipes contains steam that rotates a turbine to produce power.

Nuclear power has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

  • Using nuclear energy does result in comparatively small carbon dioxide emissions (CO2). Therefore, nuclear power facilities have a negligible impact on global warming.

  • In a single plant, a significant amount of electrical energy can be produced.

Disadvantages:

  • Radioactive waste disposal safely is an issue.

  • When accidents occur, there are many hazards involved, and the damage they do is severe.

  • the source substance It's difficult to find uranium. According to the predicted demand, its supply will only last for the next 30 to 60 years.

35 nations in the world use nuclear energy to produce power, including India. India is rated 13th globally in terms of power generation, according to data released in March 2017 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s Power Reactor Information System (PRIS). On a global scale, it ranked seventh in terms of the number of operating reactors by country.

6780 MWe of nuclear power is currently deployed. 22 nuclear power reactors are operating right now. By 2031, the installed capacity is projected to reach 22,480 MW (including PFBR(Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor), 500 MW of which is being implemented by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited [BHAVINI]) after projects that are currently under construction are gradually completed and given administrative approval and financial support by the Indian government. In the fiscal year 2016–17, nuclear electricity had an average price of Rs. 2.95 per unit.

Sources of Energy

Renewable Sources

Renewable sources of energy are those that can continually be replenished. They are readily available in very big quantities, hence they most likely will never work. Examples include the sun, biomass, water, wind, and wood.

Non-renewable sources

Non-renewable energy sources cannot be utilized repeatedly. In a nutshell, they are only available in a limited number, and they will finish one day. These are traditional sources that cannot be restored or replaced for future use and are depleting over time. They are referred to as exhaustible resources. Similar to fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, and mineral sources are non-renewable sources.

The human body has several types of energy

Thermal energy aids in regulating our body temperature because it is based on physics. Electrical energy powers our brains and delivers information to them, while mechanical energy aids in our ability to move.

Conclusion

The capacity to work or affect change is energy. In addition to the numerous artificial devices we use daily, parts of nature including people, plants, and animals depend on energy to thrive. There are five common types of energy which are used in daily life. They are mechanical energy, sound energy, electrical energy, light energy and thermal energy.

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