Chemical potential energy transformed into radiant energy generator#
The steam powers a generator that creates electricity. This heat is used to turn water to steam. In a nuclear power plant, a reactor is used to split uranium atoms. Nuclear energy is the potential energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. Yet when we split the nucleus of an atom, a tremendous amount of energy is released. The chemical energy in batteries is changed into the electrical energy we need to run everything from flashlights to toys.Ĭhemical energy batteries power this flashlight.Ītoms are so small that until recently even the most powerful microscopes could not see them. Coal, gas, and other fuels are burned to run electric generators. One of the major uses of chemical energy is to help produce electrical energy. We can use it to cook, to heat our homes, and to burn the gasoline that moves our cars. We can use the heat that these reactions give off. Chemical energy is the energy released through a chemical reaction. When chemicals are mixed together, a reaction can occur. The electrons you built up jump from your hand to the metal of the doorknob, causing a powerful shock!Ĭhemicals contain stored, or potential, energy to hold their atoms together. You may have experienced this when scuffing your feet on a carpet and then touching a doorknob. Static Electricity occurs when an object (or person) gets charged with electrons. Lightning is so powerful that if we could capture the electricity in a single bolt, it could power our entire home for days. Lightning occurs when electrons are discharged from a cloud. Generators create the electricity used in our everyday lives, but other forms of electric energy occur naturally. A conductor is a material that can carry electricity, like the wiring in homes. Electrical energy is the movement of electrons through a conductor. We create electricity by forcing electrons to move from atom to atom. Atoms are made up of a nucleus, protons, and electrons. Differences in the length of the waves in this part of the spectrum cause us to see different colors.Ī huge maze of wires in every house carries electrical energy to do many different jobs, from lighting your home to cooking food.Įlectricity starts at the atomic level. Most radiant energy can't be seen, but there is a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is called visible light. The shorter the wave, the more energy and heat are created. The electromagnetic spectrum lists all the types of radiant energy by the length of their waves. Scientists use the electromagnetic spectrum to discuss the types of radiant energy. The sun is our major source of radiant energy because it gives off a great amount of heat and light. Radiant energy is the energy created through electromagnetic waves, such as light, heat, or radio waves. Turn the page for more information on radiant energy. Radiation is the movement of energy in the form of waves.
This continues until the water is boiled. As it gets hot, it rises, and the cooler water goes to the bottom where it gets heated. For example, when you boil water, the liquid nearest the flame heats up first.
Hot vehicles in the summer are a form of heat energy.Ĭonvection is the movement of hot liquids or gases.
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