Energy - Definition, Types, Difference, FAQs
Have you ever thought about why a Bicycle moves when you press a pedal or why our body feels heat when we sit in the sun? These events occur because of Energy. The fact is that Energy can never be lost, and it is present in various forms. In this article, we will discuss energy in detail to understand the activities happening in everyday life.
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What is Energy?
Energy Definition in Physics: The ability to do any work or cause any changes is called Energy. Energy exists in various forms, such as heat, light, electrical, chemical, and kinetic energy.
Unit of Energy
S.I. unit of energy is Joule (J). Energy is also expressed in many other non-SI system units. Many of these units include calories, ergs, kilowatt-hours, kilocalories, and British Units Thermal.
Examples of Energy
- When you lift a book, you’re using energy to move it.
- The sun provides energy in the form of light and heat, which warms our planet and enables plants to grow.
- Batteries store chemical energy, which powers devices when converted into electrical energy.
Sources of Energy
Sources of energy are the various forms from which we obtain energy in our daily life. These energy sources are classified into various forms:
Renewable energy sources
Energy resources that are present in abundant amounts in nature and won't be extinct are called Renewable energy resources. Some of the examples of Renewable energy sources are - Solar energy, Wind Energy, Hydropower, Biomass, and Geothermal Energy.
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Non-renewable energy sources
These types of energy sources are finite, which means it cannot be replenished easily as they are used up. They are less organic than renewable energy sources. Examples of non-renewable energy sources are- Coal, Nuclear Energy, Natural Gas, and Oil.
Secondary energy sources
Energy resources that do not occur naturally but can be generated from the primary resources available like coal, natural gas, solar, and wind are called Secondary energy sources. Examples of such resources are- Electricity, Refined Fuels like diesel, kerosene, and many others.
Energy Conservation Law
According to Law of Conservation of Energy- "An energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only transformed from one form to another." The total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant over time.
What are the different forms of Energy?
There are many different types of energy, which fall into two main categories: Potential energy and Kinetic energy. Let's look at the different types of energy and their respective examples.
Mechanical Energy
The mechanical energy $(M E)$ of an object is given by:
$$
M E=K E+P E
$$
where:
- $K E=$ Kinetic Energy, calculated as $\frac{1}{2} m v^2$,
- $P E=$ Potential Energy, calculated as $m g h$ (for gravitational potential energy),
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic force can be defined as the force of motion. When an object is in a state of motion, it is said to have kinetic energy. For example, running water, a moving ball, and more.
The formula to calculate Kinetic energy is:
$$
K E=\frac{1}{2} m v^2
$$
where:
- $m=$ Mass of the object (in kilograms, kg),
- $v=$ Velocity of the object (in meters per second, $\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$ ).
Chemical Energy
Energy is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, such as molecules and atoms are called as Chemical Energy. Chemical energy is a form of potential energy because it depends on the position and arrangement of atoms within molecules. Once the chemical energy is released from an object, it is usually converted into something completely new.
Light energy
Light energy is a type of electrical radiation. Light contains photons produced when the atoms of an object heat up. Light travels in waves and is the only source of energy visible to the human eye.
Light is made up of photons, which are small packets of energy. When the atomic matter is heated, photons are produced by the movement of atoms. Photons are produced according to the temperature of an object.
Heat Energy
Heat energy can also be called thermal energy, which is produced when rising temperatures cause molecules and atoms to move faster and more precisely. Examples of hot energy are heat from the sun, a cup of hot chocolate, baking in the oven, and heat from a heater.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Gravity is stored at the height of an object
e.g. high gravity is stored on heavy and elevated objects. When someone climbs into a cliff and picks up speed, the force of gravity turns to the force of motion. Hydropower is another example of gravity, in which gravity forces water down a propeller to provide electricity.
Motion power is stored within the flow of objects. As soon as they go, a lot of energy is saved. It takes energy to persuade a moving object, and energy is released when the object is slow-moving. The wind is an example of the power of movement. A striking example of the force of movement can be a car collision - The car puts on a complete stop and releases all its movement power without delay in an uncontrolled moment.
According to the law of conservation, "Energy is not created, or destroyed, but can be changed from one form to another."
The energy we use is simply the conversion of other species. It has no specific sources. However, most of the energy we have used is the result of the Sun.
Looking at the representation above, it is clear that we need power. We get this energy from eating food, which is also derived from plants and animals. In fact, all animals, plants, fungi, viruses, bacteria, and other organisms need the energy to do all they can.
Other sources of renewable energy are solar energy, wind power, biomass and hydropower. It is called renewable because it is continuous. It is also called another form of energy as these are other forms of renewable energy.
Gravity is stored at the height of an object
e.g. high gravity is stored on heavy and elevated objects. When someone climbs into a cliff and picks up speed, the force of gravity turns to the force of motion. Hydropower is another example of gravity, in which gravity forces water down a propeller to provide electricity.
According to the law of conservation, "Energy is not created, or destroyed, but can be changed from one form to another."
The energy we use is simply the conversion of other species. It has no specific sources. However, most of the energy we have used is the result of the Sun.
Looking at the representation above, it is clear that we need power. We get this energy from eating food, which is also derived from plants and animals. In fact, all animals, plants, fungi, viruses, bacteria, and other organisms need the energy to do all they can.
Other sources of renewable energy are solar energy, wind power, biomass and hydropower. It is called renewable because it is continuous. It is also called another form of energy as these are other forms of renewable energy.
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Questions related to
Hello there,
Emasters is a new form of education introduced in a very few NITs and IITs. Emaster in Renewable Energy is offered in IIT Kanpur. IIT Kanpur is the first IIT to introduce Emasters in Renewable Energy. Kindly check out their official site to get more information.
https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-renewable-energy-and-emobility
Renewable resources of energy are sources of power that can be replenished naturally and do not deplete thr earth's resources. Some of these are solar energy that is harvested from sun, wind energy which is generated by wind turbines, hydropower which is produced by capturing the energy of moving water, biomass energy which is created from organic materials like plant and animal waste and tidal energy which is generated from movement of tides.
On the other hand the sources of energy that are finite in quantity and cannot be replenished on a human timescale once they are consumed are not the sources of renewable sources like fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
Hy,
With a PGET rank of 16 in Civil Engineering (General) , your chances of securing admission to the M.Tech in Renewable Energy program at MAKAUT (Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology), especially at the main campus, are quite promising. Here are some insights and recommendations:
1. Understanding the Admission Process:
- MAKAUT conducts its admissions based on PGET (Post Graduate Entrance Test) ranks, along with the availability of seats in specific programs.
- Higher ranks (lower numbers) typically have better chances for admission into sought-after courses.
2. Renewable Energy Program:
- The M.Tech in Renewable Energy is a specialized program and may not be as competitive as more traditional programs like Structural Engineering or Transportation Engineering.
- Your rank of 16 places you well within the range of candidates likely to be offered admission, assuming there are sufficient seats available.
3. Previous Year Cut-offs:
- It’s beneficial to check the previous year’s cut-off ranks for the M.Tech in Renewable Energy at MAKAUT to confirm trends and understand how your rank compares.
- Programs at the main campus generally have higher cut-off ranks, but a rank of 16 is typically favorable.
4. Counseling Process:
- Ensure you participate in the counseling process and fill in your choices correctly.
- Indicate your preference for the M.Tech in Renewable Energy program during the choice filling.
5. Availability of Seats:
- Admission also depends on the number of available seats in the program. MAKAUT should provide information on seat availability, so keep an eye on that.
Conclusion
Given your PGET rank of 16 in Civil Engineering, you are very likely to secure a seat in the M.Tech in Renewable Energy program at the MAKAUT main campus . Make sure to stay updated on the counseling schedule and related announcements.
Correct Answer: Both statements are true.
Solution : The correct answer is (a) Both statements are true.
Statement 1 accurately states that geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy derived from the heat of the Earth's interior. Geothermal energy is generated by tapping into the heat stored within the Earth's crust, which is a virtually limitless and continuously replenished resource.
Statement 2 is also true. Geothermal power plants harness geothermal heat and convert it into electricity using steam turbines. The process involves drilling wells to access hot water or steam reservoirs underground. The hot water or steam is then used to drive turbines, which generate electricity.
Both statements provide accurate information about geothermal energy and its conversion into electricity.
Correct Answer: Electrical energy
Solution : The correct option is electrical energy.
The photovoltaic effect is a mechanism used by photovoltaic cells, also referred to as solar cells, to transform light energy from the sun directly into electrical energy. When photons, the light particles hit a solar cell's surface, their energy is transferred to the material's electrons, causing this effect. These electrons get activated by the energy of the photons, which causes them to flow as an electric current. The generated current can then be harnessed and used to power electrical equipment, or it can be stored in batteries for later use.