Energy and mass are equivalent C = 3 x 108 m/s. Mass Energy E = mc2 Energy and mass are equivalent C = 3 x 108 m/s. C is a big number and its squared! So even if m is small, E is big. A small mass, converted to energy, gives a lot of energy!

Example

Electromagnetic energy Light displays properties of both waves and particles. Light is an electromagnetic wave-a wave created by alternating electric and magnetic fields. “Light” is more than just visible light, it covers wavelengths from radio thru Gamma rays Light is also a “particle” called a photon. Photons have energy given by E=hν or E=hc/λ. H is constant, c is the speed of light , ν is the frequency of light and λ is the wavelength of the light.

Conservation of Energy The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. But it can be converted from one form to another This idea of energy transformation is at the heart of energy generation.

Energy Sources renewable vs non-rewnewable Renewable – can’t be exhausted Solar Geo-thermal Tidal Wind Hydro Non-renewable-can be exhausted Fossil fuels (oil, coal etc) Nuclear

How much do we use? World energy consumption US energy consumption

How much do we use?

How much do we use? Almost 95% of the energy we use comes from non-renewble energy sources! One of these days we will run out, and then what? What are some short and long term answers to this question?

Fossil fuels

FOSSIL FUELS Carbon or hydrocarbons (a compound made of hydrogen and carbon) found in the earth’s crust Formed from the bacterial decay of plant and animal life in ancient (a few hundred million years ago) seas. The decomposing material was covered with mud and sediment This increased the pressure and temperature on the material and deprived it of oxygen. A variety of hydrocarbon molecules are created in solid, liquid and gas states. The gas and liquid could travel through the porous rock and collect in geological traps (rock features that prevent further movement of the hydrocarbons).

Petroleum traps