3.1 What is Energy?
Energy cannot be created nor destroyed; It can be transformed! Energy is the capacity to do work or produce heat.
Chemical Energy
Stored or potential energy. This energy is stored in chemicals and released when chemicals react.
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Electrical Energy
The energy of particles that are charged. Negative particles, or electrons travel from place to place, thus transferring the energy.
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Mechanical Energy
The energy of an object as a result of its potential to move. Mechanical energy can be either stored (potential energy) or the result of motion (kinetic energy).
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Thermal Energy
The total kinetic energy of ALL the particles in a substance. The particles move faster if there is more thermal energy.
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Glucose is a common molecule in humans that produces energy. Your cells use this glucose and chemical reactions to produce thermal energy to keep you warm, and mechanical energy so that you can move.
What are some other ways that chemical energy can be transformed? |
Depending on the device, electricity can be transformed into any form of energy we require.
List as many items as you can that transfer electrical energy to another form of energy. List items that transform other forms of energy to electrical energy. |
Mechanical energy deals with both movement and the ability to move.
Describe mechanical energy as it applies to the above graphic of the weightlifter. |
Thermal energy is considered to be the energy of heat.
Using your understanding of particles and thermal energy, describe the two cups above. |
Thermocouple
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Thermocouples convert thermal energy into electrical energy, as shown in the video.
When 2 metals are heated, the difference in conduction results in electricity flowing from one metal to the other. The temperature affects the amount of electricity produced. The higher the temperature -> the higher the voltage The lower the temperature -> the lower the voltage |
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
YOUR TASK: Find out how OTEC works. Use labelled diagrams & flow charts to demonstrate your understanding & summarize your research. Keep information in your notes.
Scientists are researching ways to use ocean's natural thermal differences to generate electricity. The temperature difference between warm surface and cold depths can by 20'C or more. This difference can be used to make electricity through ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC).
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3.3 Calculating Power & Energy
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