Energy Transformation By: Courtney Benson, Thomas Knight, and Andrew Thomson

Potential and Kinetic Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position Kinetic energy is motion, the movement of energy These categories are further divided up into subcategories

Types of Energy Potential: Chemical, mechanical, nuclear, gravitational, electric Kinetic: Radiant, thermal, motion, sound

Entropy Disarray of atoms Ordered: solid-lower entropy Disordered:gas-high entropy Potential has less entropy than kinetic Predictability of the movement of particles

First Chain The following energy transformation chain stems off of radiant energy First of two chains resulting from sun

Solar Sun’s rays melts snow, radiant energy Entropy is increased water, from a solid to a liquid Reaction of hydrogen being fused together in a nuclear reaction Sun melting snow is thermal

Hydroelectricity Gravitational potential energy water stored in water pushing against dam Turbines in dam extract electrical energy from high pressure

How it Works Flow of water makes blades on turbine spin This rotates a spindle in the turbine, which leads into the generator Then energy is transferred into electrical energy

Electricity in Action Electricity from dam used to power electric hybrid car Energy within rechargeable battery, electrical and chemical energy stored

Pistons apply mechanical energy Run by batteries, but more directly move car Same pistons can power electromagnetic engines, which are magnetic as well as electric

Second Chain The following energy transfer chain also begins with the sun's nuclear fusion process

Tree grows off of radiant energy, solar from sun

Tree falls, gravitational energy Same tree is caught by a forest fire, sparked by thermal energy

Tree burning, chemical Increase in entropy Ashes are blown by kinetic wind

Wind Wind blows windmill, kinetic Windmill pumps water, using electrical power

Windmills produce energy much like hydropower plants do

Water is heated by thermal energy Water is changed to steam, also thermal Increase of entropy, liquid to gas

Steam directed through turbine to power electric generator, compressed, mechanical energy The generator runs propellors of a large ship

Fan blade on a rotor, which is spun by rising steam Rotary motion runs a generator

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