FORMS OF ENERGY - II
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We will continue studying the different forms of energy that we can find in nature.
On the previous lesson we studied the mechanical, the thermal and the light energy. In this lesson, we will study the chemical energy, the nuclear energy and the electrical energy. |
CHEMICAL ENERGY
Chemical energy is the energy that is stored in the chemical compounds (elements) that make up objects. When these chemical compounds react with other chemical compounds that are in nature (for example, oxygen / combustion or carbon dioxide / photosynthesis), energy is released.
Chemical energy is the energy that is stored in the chemical compounds (elements) that make up objects. When these chemical compounds react with other chemical compounds that are in nature (for example, oxygen / combustion or carbon dioxide / photosynthesis), energy is released.
Another good example of objects with a lot of chemical energy is food. We use food to obtain energy: during the process of digestion, energy is released when food is broken down. Batteries, wood, gasoline and coal also have a lot of chemical energy.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
We have studied that all the objects in the universe are made up of elements. But elements are not the smallest mass particles in the universe. The smallest mass particles in the universe are the atoms. All the elements are made up of atoms. Atoms are very little: the diameter of an atom is, more or less, 0,00000001 cms.
We have studied that all the objects in the universe are made up of elements. But elements are not the smallest mass particles in the universe. The smallest mass particles in the universe are the atoms. All the elements are made up of atoms. Atoms are very little: the diameter of an atom is, more or less, 0,00000001 cms.
All objects have nuclear energy stored inside them as all of them are made up of atoms. But some materials, such as uranium, have much more nuclear energy stored inside them than the rest. The materials that store a lot of nuclear energy are called radioactive materials.
Scientists break down radioactive materials in nuclear power stations to obtain energy in the form of heat. Then, that heat is transformed into electricity.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
The electrical energy is energy in the form of electricity. Electricity is used in many different objects: in televisions, cars, cell phones, computers,...Electricity is a secondary energy source. This means that we obtain electricity from the conversion of other energy sources, for example coal, nuclear power stations, natural gas, mechanical energy,...Electricity travels from the power stations to homes and factories through power lines (special cables).
The electrical energy is energy in the form of electricity. Electricity is used in many different objects: in televisions, cars, cell phones, computers,...Electricity is a secondary energy source. This means that we obtain electricity from the conversion of other energy sources, for example coal, nuclear power stations, natural gas, mechanical energy,...Electricity travels from the power stations to homes and factories through power lines (special cables).
Let's study combustion. Combustion is a chemical reaction between 2 chemical elements (a fuel and an oxidant). Click on the picture to see an example.
Do you know how scientist can transform nuclear energy into electrical energy? Let's learn how a nuclear power plant works. Click on the picture.
Is nuclear energy clearer now? What about visiting a nuclear power plant now? I hope you like it. It's very interesting!! Click on the picture.
Let's continue learning how an hydraulic power station works. Click on the picture.
Did you like the virtual tour to a nuclear power plant? What about visiting a hydraulic power plant? Would you like? So click on the picture.
Would you like to play some games to review all the information you have learned about the different forms of energy? So go to the games section.