Question

What are four examples of changes of energy?

Answer 1

Hint: Energy change or energy conversion also termed as energy transformation is the process of changing of energy from one form to another. There are numerous forms of energy which can be interconverted into various forms like, thermal energy, chemical energy, sound energy, solar energy, etc.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Energy conversions are happening around us every second and minute. The term energy transformation is used when energy is transformed or changed from one form to another. Remember that because of energy transformation the amount of the overall energy doesn’t change. This is known as the law of conversion of energy.
The study of how energy converts from one form to another is known as thermodynamics. There are four laws of thermodynamics: Zeroth, First, Second and third. The first law of thermodynamics states that “Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form to another”. This is known as the law of conservation of energy. Some examples of everyday energy transformations are:
- On switching on a bulb electrical energy gets converted into light energy and thermal energy.
- When we switch on a car, the energy stored in the bonds of the gasoline is converted into mechanical energy, to drive the car forward. This energy is used to spin the wheels, provide kinetic energy to move the car, etc.
- In photosynthesis chemicals in the plant cells absorb solar energy. Thus, the radiant energy is converted into chemical energy and is stored in plants in the form of glucose which the plants use as food. When humans consume plants, this energy is transformed to thermal energy, to keep us warm, mechanical energy (to help humans move around) etc.
- In thermal power plants, during the process of combustion, the chemical energy is converted into electrical energy or thermal energy. In turbines the thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy. When this energy reaches the households, it gets converted to electrical energy.

Note:
There is a difference between energy transfer and energy transformation. Energy transfer is when the energy goes from one object to another in the same form, but in transformation it gets converted from one form to another with different magnitudes.