Energy is such kind of a word that does not escape our usage at least once in a day. Do you really know what energy is and what its different types are? Even when we know what them are, it may keep us stammer as to present it wisely and acceptably. Hence we help you understand and present it crisply what is energy and what are the different types.
What is energy?
Energy is within us and all around us. The existence of the universe is only because of its energy. So energy can be broadly defined as the capacity or ability to do work such as moving an object, lifting an object and changing the direction of the object. It exists in different forms like mechanical energy, chemical energy, heat energy, light energy, atomic energy and so on. Mostly all forms of energy are associated with motion. Energy can be converted from one form to the other. The “law of the conservation of energy” states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be transferred from one form to the other. So as per the rule, the amount of energy present in the universe will remain constant because energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It is just being transformed into different forms and transferred into different sectors. The different types of energy are kinetic energy, potential energy, gravitational energy, nuclear energy, heat energy, chemical energy, electric energy, wind energy, electromagnetic energy, sound energy, solar energy and magnetic energy. The unit of energy is measured in joule.
TYPES OF ENERGY
- KINETIC ENERGY :
All moving objects have kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion. It can be defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of from rest to its current velocity. Kinetic energy depends on the mass of the object. When the velocity or the mass of a body increases, the kinetic energy also increases. The kinetic energy can be either zero or positive. Some of the examples of kinetic energy are moving car, moving ball, river flowing, an athlete running and a satellite revolving in an orbit. - POTENTIAL ENERGY :
Potential energy is a type of energy possessed by an object due to its virtue or position. In simpler terms, potential energy is something which is present but does not do any work. It is the stored energy and can be converted to kinetic energy. Some of the examples of potential energy are holding a pen up, car on a hill top, a stretched rubber band, a glass of milk and a fruit hanging from a tree. - GRAVITATIONAL ENERGY :
Gravitational energy is a type of energy possessed by an object when it is moved against gravity. This is mainly caused due to the pull of gravity. The higher the object, the higher the gravitational energy. The force of gravity of an object depends upon the mass of the object. Some of the examples of gravitational energy are water stored in a dam, rocks at the top of a hill and a parachute. - NUCLEAR ENERGY :
Nuclear energy is a type of energy inside the atom in the nucleus. Each object around us is made up of atom. There is a lot of energy in these atoms. On certain grounds these atoms release energy which can be harmful and useful to mankind. This energy can be used to generate electricity, boil water to create steam and even explode a nuclear bomb. - HEAT ENERGY :
Heat energy is also known as thermal energy. This is a type of energy in which the object gets energy due to the movement of the molecules within the object. As the movement of these molecules become faster, more heat is produced. Heat energy in Earth is from the sun above. This energy can be transferred only by convection, conduction and radiation. It is difficult to covert heat energy to other forms. Some of the examples of heat are gas stove burners, a hot cup of coffee and when u rub your hand together, heat energy is produced. - CHEMICAL ENERGY :
Chemical energy is a type of energy stored in chemical compounds that are released during chemical reaction. In most of these reactions, heat energy is the byproduct. Chemical energy is the most common forms of energy. It comes in different forms and can constantly change its form. The food that we eat, all battery powered devices, combustion of oil, fuel and gas and electricity are some of the examples of chemical energy. - ELECTRIC ENERGY :
Electric energy is a type of energy due to the movement of electric charge and can be commonly called electricity. The origin is from electromagnetic forces. When these electrical energy flows, a little bit of heat energy is generated. Electric heaters, appliances, lights, fan, television and all use electrical energy. - ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY :
Electromagnetic energy is a type of energy in which energy is emitted through electrical or magnetic waves travelling through space. These waves do not require a medium and travels through empty space at the speed of light. It has vibrations of both electricity and magnetism. Some of the examples of electromagnetic waves are X-rays, microwave. Radio, gamma rays and ultraviolet rays are examples of electromagnetic waves. - SOUND ENERGY :
Sound energy is a type of energy in which is associated with the matter vibrations. Sound energy needs a medium to travel and produces low levels of energy. Due to this property of sound, there is no sound in space. The measurement of these waves depends upon its intensity and pressure. Sound travels fastest through liquid. Sound of vehicles, wind chimes, laughing, crying, water falling, boiling, whistles, guitar all are examples of sound energy. - SOLAR ENERGY :
Solar energy is the energy that is received from the sun. It is the most abundant and the most renewable form of energy. If the entire populations efficiently use this solar energy for all purposes no other form of energy need to be utilized. It is a free source of heat and light energy. Solar panels, cells, torches, lights, fan, solar farms and solar stations are some of the variations that use sun as their medium. - MAGNETIC ENERGY :
Magnetic energy is a type of energy stored in the magnetic fields in magnets. All magnets are examples for magnetic energy. - SURFACE ENERGY :
Surface energy is a type of energy that is present by virtue of existence. This type is energy is present in stretched rubber band, stagnant water etc. in simple terms when 2 liquids comes in contact with each other, a surface tension is created. This is the surface energy. Usually in solids, surface energy combines with elastic energy. If an insect floats on water then it is because of the surface energy. - WIND ENERGY :
Wind energy is the energy of the winds. This is a green, renewable and affordable source of energy that is being utilized for a long period of time. Wind energy is utilized in the form of windmill and turbines which converts the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy and further into electric energy.