Energy. It is what moves the world and what we continually mention in this blog. Renewable energy sources y Non-renewableelectricity mechanical energy, Kinetic energy, among others. Everything we analyze and mention has a common basis: energy. But, What is energy We often see plants grow, animals move, machines operate, and technology advance. All of this is due to energy, which, in its many forms and manifestations, drives the processes that are part of our daily lives.
Throughout this article, we will explore in depth what energy is, its characteristics and its different types. We invite you to continue reading to better understand this fascinating concept.
Energy as the basis of life
Energy is present in all the processes we mentioned at the beginning, such as plant growth, animal reproduction, their mobility and also in our daily activities. Energy is the property associated with objects and substances that manifests itself in transformations that occur in nature. It is the capacity of a body to perform work, cause a change or transformation.
Bodies can have energy through movement (kinetic energy) or through their position or configuration (potential energy). In order for energy to manifest itself, it must be transferred from one body to another. Thus, a system gains or loses energy depending on the interactions that occur between the bodies.
We can also observe energy transformations in physical changes and chemical processes. For example, when we hold a heavy object, we are using physical energy. Chemical energy, on the other hand, is manifested in processes such as the combustion of wood, where large amounts of energy are released that can be transformed into heat.
Work on a body
When we say that energy has the ability to do work, we mean the force that acts on a body to displace or move it from its initial position. If we want to move a box, we need to apply a force, and that force is a manifestation of energy. In this case, the energy comes from ATP, the energy exchange molecule in our bodies, which we use to move the object.
In many cases, the work we do on a body involves considering other factors such as potential energy due to the height of the body, or the friction force that acts as resistance. For example, if we push a box down a hill, we must take into account gravitational potential energy and friction.
Power: speed of energy transfer
La power It is the relationship between the work performed and the time used in its execution. Its unit of measurement is the watt, one of the most widely used measurements, especially in the field of electrical energy. Power measures the speed at which energy is transferred, that is, how long it takes a body to do work.
Another key term is the mechanical energy, which refers to the mechanical forces that act on bodies, either due to their elasticity or their gravitational energy. A body in motion, or in a position out of balance, has mechanical energy, which can be classified as Kinetic energy (due to movement) or potential energy (due to position).
Types of energy
Energy can be classified into different types based on a number of physical and chemical characteristics. Below is a summary of the main types of energy that exist:
- Thermal energy. Provided by the movement of particles in a body. The more they move, the greater the amount of energy stored in it.
- Electric power. Produced by the movement of electrical charges. It is one of the most versatile forms of energy, as it can produce luminous, thermal or magnetic effects.
- Radiant energyProduced by electromagnetic waves such as visible light, ultraviolet rays or radio waves.
- Chemical energyThis energy is stored in chemical compounds, and is released during chemical reactions.
- Nuclear energy. Released during fission or fusion processes at the atomic level.
Energy comes in all of these forms and more. In any process, energy is neither created nor destroyed, but rather converted from one form to another, always keeping its total amount constant.
The following sections describe some types of energy in more depth.
Thermal energy
It is the energy that bodies possess due to the agitation of their particles. It is important to note that heat is a transfer of thermal energy, not a form in itself. The amount of thermal energy directly depends on the temperature of a body; the higher the temperature, the faster the particles will move, and the body will have more thermal energy.
Electric power
The energy produced by the movement of electrons through a conductive material is called electrical energy. It can be tangibly observed in phenomena such as the operation of light bulbs, household appliances or any electromagnetic device. In addition, this form of energy is key in modern life due to its ability to be transformed into other types of energy.
Radiant energy
Radiant energy refers to electromagnetic waves that travel through space. Visible light is only a small part of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, which also includes radio waves, X-rays, and UV rays. An important aspect of radiant energy is its ability to propagate even in a vacuum, with the sun being a key example of its source on Earth.
Chemical energy
Chemical energy is stored in the bonds between atoms and molecules and is released during chemical reactions. The food we eat, for example, contains chemical energy that is transformed into mechanical and thermal energy when we process it.
Nuclear energy
This is the energy found in the nucleus of atoms. When atomic nuclei fragment or fuse, they release this enormous amount of energy, which is used both in nuclear power plants and in nuclear fusion research.
In any energy exchange process, part of the energy is degraded and converted into heat, which causes the ability to perform work to be lost. This phenomenon does not mean that the energy disappears, but that it changes to a less useful form, in accordance with the principle of energy degradation.
This concept is fundamental to understanding energy efficiency, since not all the energy used in a process can be effectively transformed into useful work.
Energy, in all its forms, is all around us and is fundamental to human life and activities. From electricity to the most essential biological processes, energy is the engine that drives everything around us.
I hope this guide has helped you better understand the concept of energy and how it influences our lives.