Energy
Types of Energy Kinetic – energy of motion Potential – stored energy Thermal – form of energy associated with heat Nuclear - energy stored in the nucleus of an atom and released through fission, fusion, or radioactivity Radiant – energy associated with light
Characteristics of Energy Energy is strictly an abstract concept, but it can be measured. Energy may be stored or transported by material objects or by fields. Energy may be transformed from one type to another. Energy is conserved (First law of Thermodynamics)
Thermal Energy Not the same as heat! Joule’s paddlewheel experiment –Work - kinetic, potential, and heat?? –A new type of energy! Temperature Temperature scales and absolute zero The transfer of thermal energy – HEAT! –Conduction –Convection –Radiation
Entropy The tendency toward disorder or chaos. The 2 nd Law of Thermodynamics: Entropy always increases! (Like Humpty Dumpty) The Heat Death of the Universe
Nuclear Energy energy stored in the nucleus of an atom and released through fission, fusion, or radioactivity 1 gram of wood converted in 1 second would release 9 x W of power! Between and tons of TNT! A bomb! The sun loses ~ 4 x 10 6 tons every second to continue “burning.”