7 Energy Principles PDF

7 ENERGY PRINCIPLES James M. Suarez  1. Energy is Conserved (Law of Conservation of Energy) Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed from one form to another. This means that the total energy in a closed system remains constant over time. For exampl...

7 ENERGY PRINCIPLES James M. Suarez  1. Energy is Conserved (Law of Conservation of Energy) Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed from one form to another. This means that the total energy in a closed system remains constant over time. For example, the chemical energy in food is transformed into kinetic energy when we move, or into heat energy when we metabolize it.  2. Energy Exists in Different Forms Energy comes in various forms, including: 1. Kinetic Energy (energy of motion) 2. Potential Energy (stored energy, such as in a compressed spring or elevated object) 3. Thermal Energy (heat) 4. Chemical Energy (stored in bonds of molecules, like in fuel or food) 5. Electrical Energy (flow of electric charge) 6. Nuclear Energy (stored in the nucleus of atoms) 7. Radiant Energy (light, electromagnetic waves)  3. Energy Can Be Transferred Energy can be transferred from one object to another through processes such as conduction (direct contact), convection (fluid movement), and radiation (electromagnetic waves). For instance, heat from the Sun (radiant energy) warms the Earth through radiation.  4. Energy Can Be Transformed Energy can change forms. For example, in a hydroelectric dam, the potential energy of water at a height is converted to kinetic energy as it falls, which is then transformed into electrical energy via turbines. 5. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Energy Efficiency and Entropy) No energy transformation is 100% efficient. In every energy transfer or transformation, some energy is lost as heat, which increases entropy (disorder) in a system. For example, in machines like cars or generators, some of the energy is always lost as heat to the surroundings.  6. Energy Flow is Directional Energy naturally flows from areas of higher concentration (or temperature) to areas of lower concentration. For instance, heat flows from a hot object to a cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached.  7. Energy Degrades Over Time As energy is transformed from one form to another, the quality of energy often degrades. High-quality energy, like electrical or chemical energy, can easily do useful work, but as it is transformed (often into heat), it becomes less useful for doing work.