The Energy Equation: Understanding System Energy Sources

what constitutes the total energy of a system

The total energy of a system is the sum of its potential and kinetic energy. It can be subdivided and classified into potential energy, kinetic energy, or combinations of the two. The total energy of a system is sometimes called the Hamiltonian, after William Rowan Hamilton. The classical equations of motion can be written in terms of the Hamiltonian, even for highly complex or abstract systems. The internal energy of a system is another important concept, which pertains to the energy of the system as a state function, excluding the kinetic energy of motion and potential energy of position of the system as a whole.

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Kinetic energy

The kinetic energy of an object is the form of energy it possesses due to its motion. It is a property of a moving object or particle and depends on its motion as well as its mass. Kinetic energy can be transferred between objects and transformed into other forms of energy. For example, chemical energy can be converted into kinetic energy, as in the case of a cyclist who transfers chemical energy from food to the bicycle and their own kinetic energy as they increase their speed. This kinetic energy can then be converted into gravitational potential energy when the cyclist coasts up a hill and the bicycle comes to a halt at the top. The kinetic energy is then converted back into kinetic energy as the cyclist freewheels down the other side of the hill.

There are two types of kinetic energy: translational kinetic energy and rotational kinetic energy. Translational kinetic energy refers to the kinetic energy associated with rectilinear motion, where the object is moving in a straight line. The formula for translational kinetic energy is 1/2mv^2, where m is the mass and v is the velocity. Rotational kinetic energy, on the other hand, is related to the moment of inertia and angular velocity. The formula for rotational kinetic energy is 1/2Iω^2, where I is the moment of inertia and ω is the angular velocity.

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Potential energy

The total energy of a system can be classified into potential energy, kinetic energy, or a combination of the two. Potential energy is a form of stored energy that depends on the relative position of various parts of a system. It is independent of the path the particles travel and depends only on their initial and final configurations. The value of potential energy is relative to the choice of reference point. For example, a steel ball has more potential energy when raised above the ground than after it falls to the ground. The potential energy of the ball is the same whether it is raised 10 feet above the ground directly from the ground level or from the bottom of a 10-foot-deep hole.

There are various types of potential energy, each associated with a particular type of force. Some common types of potential energy include gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and electric potential energy. Gravitational potential energy can be computed by multiplying the weight of an object by its distance above the reference point. Elastic potential energy is associated with the work of an elastic force, such as the deformation of a spring. Electric potential energy is related to the work of the Coulomb force and the electric potential of an electric charge in an electric field.

Other forms of potential energy include nuclear potential energy, chemical potential energy, and thermal potential energy. Nuclear potential energy is associated with the work of the nuclear force acting on the baryon charge. Chemical potential energy, such as the energy stored in fossil fuels, is related to the rearrangement of configurations of electrons and nuclei in atoms and molecules. Thermal energy usually has two components: the kinetic energy of random motions of particles and the potential energy of their configuration.

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Internal energy

The internal energy of a system is an inherent energy form that arises from the molecular state of motion of matter. It is a state function, or state variable, of a system, and is dependent on the internal state of the system. It is also an extensive property, meaning it depends on the size of the system or the amount of substance it contains.

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Chemical energy

The total energy of a system can be classified into potential energy, kinetic energy, or a combination of the two. Chemical energy is one of the forms of energy that constitutes the total energy of a system. It is the energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds. Chemical energy is associated with chemical reactions and is converted to other forms of energy during these reactions.

The human body also uses chemical energy stored in food and converts it into mechanical energy and heat. This energy allows us to perform daily functions, such as reading a page. The energy produced from the chemical reaction in food keeps us warm, helps us move, and allows us to grow. Different foods store different amounts of energy.

In the context of chemistry, energy is an attribute of a substance due to its atomic, molecular, or aggregate structure. A chemical transformation involves changes in these structures, resulting in an increase or decrease in the total energy of the substances involved. Some energy may be transferred between the surroundings and the reactants in the form of heat or light.

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Mechanical energy

The total energy of a system can be classified into potential energy, kinetic energy, or a combination of the two. Mechanical energy is one of the forms of energy that constitutes the total energy of a system.

The mechanical energy of a system is constant when only gravitational forces are acting on it or in an idealized system without dissipative forces such as friction and air resistance. For example, the mechanical energy of the Earth-Moon system is nearly constant as kinetic and potential energy are rhythmically interchanged. When the Moon is farthest from Earth, its speed is least, resulting in the least kinetic energy and the greatest potential energy. Conversely, when the Moon is closest to Earth, it travels at its fastest, converting some potential energy into kinetic energy.

Frequently asked questions

The total energy of a system is the sum of the changes in the respective energies. It can be subdivided and classified into potential energy, kinetic energy, or combinations of the two.

The different forms of energy that make up the total energy of a system include kinetic energy, potential energy, elastic energy, chemical energy, radiant energy, internal energy, and rest energy.

An example is the act of dropping a turkey from the top of a 100-meter building. As the turkey falls, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, and on impact, the kinetic energy is transformed into internal energy, raising the temperature of the turkey.

In electron-positron annihilation, the rest energy of the particles is converted into the radiant energy of the resulting photons. However, the total energy of the system remains constant during this interaction, illustrating the law of conservation of energy.

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