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Energy

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First discuss how energy can be converted from one form to another, giving specific examples.
The ability to do work is how energy can be defined. “Energy is never created or destroyed. Energy can be converted from one form to another but the total energy remains constant” (Tillery, Enger, & Ross, 2009, p.65). There are various forms of energy and terms are used to distinguish one from the other. There are not different kinds of energy even though there are various forms. These five different forms of energy are categorized as mechanical, chemical, radiant, electrical and nuclear. Mechanical energy is a combination of potential and kinetic energy resulting from the force of gravity or the movement or release of a machine component. An example of mechanical energy would be bowling ball (kinetic energy) striking a pin and displacing it (potential energy). Chemical energy is a form of potential energy that is absorbed or released by chemical reactions. Dried wood stores chemical energy and when burned, releases chemical energy that converts to heat and light. Radiant energy is energy that travels through space. An example of radiant energy would be light. The light from the sun makes it possible for living things to live on earth by providing fuel and warmth. Electrical energy is a form of energy from electromagnetic interactions. Electrical energy is the presence and flow of an electric charge. Lightning or a light bulb would be examples of electrical energy. Nuclear energy is regarded as a source of power and also called atomic energy. It is energy released by a nuclear reaction. Sun is nuclear energy that is produced naturally. Other examples would be nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.
Define what we mean by fossil fuels and explain why they are an attractive source of energy.
Fossil fuels are energy sources such as petroleum, natural gas and coal which contain the stored radiant energy of organisms that lived millions of years ago. They store radiant energy of the Sun converted to chemical energy by plants or animals. Fossil fuels are currently the most powerful source of energy and can be burned which makes them an attractive source of energy. There is no other source of energy that can provide as powerful strength as fossil fuels. Fossil fuels in most cases are currently more affordable and easier to store and transport. Even today petroleum is the most widely used energy in which the United States provides 40 percent of total used. Also gas and coal provides 23 percent of the total energy used today. The supply of natural gas and petroleum are limited. They are non-renewable resource since they take millions of years to form. We depend on fossil fuels to heat our homes, power industry, run our vehicles and provide us with electricity.
Describe two different energy alternatives to fossil fuels in detail. Discuss how they work, how they compare with fossil fuels, and their relative advantages and disadvantages.
Alternative energy source are those that are different from the typical sources we use today such as fossil fuels, falling water and nuclear. Wind energy is an alternative energy source. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the earth by the sun which results in pressure differences and the horizontal movement of air. For centuries the wind has been used to grind flour, pump water and sailing ships. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. The mechanical power can be used for grinding grain or pumping water. Also a generator can convert mechanical power into electricity. The advantages of wind energy it is free, clean, non-polluting and a renewable source. The disadvantage of wind energy is the inconsistency of the wind. Another form of alternative energy is biomass. Biomass is any organic matter that is renewable over time. It consists of any material formed by photosynthesis which includes small plants, trees, crops, garbage crop residue or animal waste. An advantage for using biomass as fuel can reduce the need for fossil fuels since it can be burned directly as fuel. It can also be converted into liquid fuels such as alcohol and converted into a gas fuel. The disadvantages in using biomass would be the energy expended in gathering the biomass and also the energy to convert it to liquid fuel or a gaseous. An advantage of using any alternative energy sources is that they are renewable but the disadvantage is that they can be inconsistent.

Reference:
Tillery, B. W., Enger, E. D. & Ross, F. C. (2009). Integrated science (4th ed.). Strayer University

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