Introduction
Energy is the scalar quantity whose SI unit is given in "Joule." Energy is found in various things, and therefore there are different types of energy. All energy forms are either potential (energy that is stored) or kinetic (the energy of moving objects). It can be changed from one to another type, but it can be neither destroyed nor created.
This is something we have heard a hundred times from our teacher, but if we have asked what kind of work has to be accomplished to define the term energy, we can define it like this. Work is said to be accomplished, when an object is moved against a force, such as gravity.
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Different Forms of Energy
There are many different kinds of energy, which fall into two primary forms: potential and kinetic. Let us have a look at different forms of energy and examples.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy can be defined as the energy of motion. If an object is in a moving state, it is said to have kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is one of the two primary energy forms - the other is the potential (so-called stored) energy. For example, flowing water, a moving ball, and more.
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The kinetic energy equation can be given by, ½ m x v²
Where v is the object velocity, and m is the object mass.
Potential Energy
Potential energy is the kind of energy stored within an object because of its arrangement, position, or state. This energy is one of the two primary forms of energy, along with kinetic energy.
It is measured by the amount of work done. A few examples are water in a lake, a pen on the table, and more.
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The potential energy equation can be given by, m x g x h
Where ‘m’ is the mass of the object in kilograms, ‘g’ is the acceleration due to gravity, and ‘h’ is the height in metres.
Mechanical Energy
The sum of potential and kinetic energy that is associated with the motion & the position of an object is called Mechanical energy. Therefore, we can derive the formula of mechanical energy as:
Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy,
Mechanical energy = ½ m x v² + mgh
Chemical Energy
It is the energy that is stored in chemical compound bonds, such as molecules and atoms. In the same environment and given temperature, energy can either be released or absorbed due to the reaction between the set of chemical substances is equal to the difference between reactants and energy content of the products. When a chemical reaction takes place, this energy is released.
Once chemical energy has been released from a substance, usually, that substance then transforms into a new substance completely.
Some other types of energy are Magnetic, Electric, Nuclear, Radiant, Elastic, Ionisation, Thermal, Gravitational, and Heat & Mechanical work. Chemical energy can also be used in food and wood and stored in Biomass, Coal, Chemical batteries, and vehicle's airbags.
Light Energy
Light energy is a kind of electromagnetic radiation. Light consists of photons that are produced when the atoms of an object heat up. Light travels in waves, and it is the only form of energy visible to the human eye. This type of energy is also kinetic energy.
Light is made of photons, which are tiny packets of energy. When the atoms of an object heat up, photons are produced from the movement of atoms. The photons are produced depending on the heat of the object.
Heat or Thermal Energy
Thermal energy can also be called heat energy, which is produced when a rise in temperature causes molecules and atoms to move faster and collide with each other.
The energy that comes from the temperature of the heated substance is known as thermal energy.
Some examples of thermal energy are the warmth from the sun, A cup of hot chocolate, Baking in an oven, and the heat from a heater.
The below representation of boiling water on a stove shows the example of thermal energy.
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These are some of the energy forms and in addition to these, there are various forms of energy.
Different Types of Energy Resources
Energy sources are also used as fuels. These fuels are used in automobiles, machinery, and many other industries. They are used in the thermal plants to generate electricity. Energy resources can be further classified into two types as Non-renewable and Renewable. The types of energy sources are given below.
Non-Renewable Resources
Fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal are called non-renewable energy resources because if these are used once, they cannot be renewed by natural processes or any means.
Renewable Resources
Natural resources like water, wind, geothermal, and solar are known as the types of renewable energy sources as they come from the sources that regenerate it back after consumption and are available in nature continuously.
Some energy types based on their resources are given below.
Coal
Bioenergy
Geothermal
Hydropower
Hydrogen
Nuclear
Natural Gas
Oil
Solar
Wood
Wind
FAQs on Types of Energy
1. What is kinetic energy?
The energy of motion is termed Kinetic Energy. Moving water is also kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the property of a moving object or particle and depends not only on its motion but also on its mass. If someone throws a ball and that ball is moving, the motion is termed kinetic energy.
2. Is light energy a kind of electromagnetic radiation?
Yes, it is. Light contains photons that heat up. Light is the only form of energy that can be seen by the naked eye. Electromagnetic radiation is all around us and takes many forms. Sunlight is also a form of electromagnetic radiation.
3. What are the different types of energy sources?
Energy sources are of two main types- renewable (wind, water, geothermal) and non-renewable (coal, natural gas, oil Renewable sources can be replenished whereas the non-renewable ones cannot be restored once they get exhausted. The focus is to move towards renewable sources of energy gradually so that we learn how to use resources in a sustainable manner.
4. How is chemical energy stored?
Energy stored within chemical bonds is termed Chemical energy. In any given environment and temperature, energy either gets released or stored due to reactions that take place. Chemical energy also gets stored in the bonds of molecules such as batteries, natural gas and coal.
5. How can students revise types of energies online?
All students who need to get their concepts clear need to read from Types of Energy – Introduction, Types and FAQs from Vedantu’s e-learning platform. This page has all the information that students need before they sit for an exam. The matter provided here must be referred to before a test on the topic as it has accurate descriptions of all subtopics and topics on its platform. All those who go through it must do so carefully without skipping any portion in between. They must read each and every word carefully and make a note of those areas that need more explanation or coming back to. This page is an ideal guidebook for them before any assignment on this topic.
6. Explain about Gravitational Energy?
As we may have guessed, gravitational energy is the energy associated with gravity. It is the type of potential energy stored by an object due to its higher position than that of a lower position. (for example, if it's further away or closer to the ground).
Gravitational energy is the energy associated with gravity - the representation given below shows that gravitational energy is also used to propel the ride along the tracks.
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Systems can also increase the gravitational energy as mass moves away from the centre of the Earth or other objects that stay large enough to produce significant amounts of gravity like the planets, Sun, and the stars.
7. Where Did the Energy Come From?
As per the law of conservation of energy, "Energy neither be created, nor be destroyed, but it can be changed from one standard form to another."
The energy we are using is simply the conversion of other forms. It has no particular sources. However, most of the energy which we use is the result or product of the Sun.
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If we observe the above representation, it is clear that we need energy. We get this energy by consuming food, which in turn comes from plants and animals. In fact, all the animals, plants, Fungi, Viruses, bacteria, and other living organisms need the energy to do everything.
Plants get the energy to produce food through the Photosynthesis process from The Sun. The Sun gets energy via the Nuclear Fusion reaction in its core.
Passing by, the Sun had created due to the big bang; therefore, all the energy came from the Big bang collision.