11 Different Types of Energy

Let’s talk about energy. Energy is the ability to do work. When a system or a series of systems combined use force to push or pull then that is what we call energy.

One thing we need to know about energy is that it can neither be created nor destroyed. Energy can only be transformed from one form to another through a series of processes for example, mechanical energy can be transformed into heat energy as well as light energy.

We cannot see energy with our own naked eyes but we can feel its end result and its action, for example, light, heat, earthquakes, floods, running vehicles, food in plants etc.

The ultimate source of energy is the sun. energy is transferred in form of heat and in form of work and also in form of transferring of the matter. Energy is measured in units known as joules.

There are different forms and types of energy as discussed herein.

Types of Energy

1. Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is energy due to the motion. When an object is in a constant random motion it is said to possess kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is used in bringing a stationary object from a state of rest into a state of motion within which the motion may be maintained.

Kinetic energy is seen at play when a roller coaster is at the bottom and also when water is boiling to make hardboiled eggs. It may be transformed from potential energy of a resting stone to kinetic energy of a thrown stone. It may also be transformed from heat energy of hot coal to kinetic energy of boiling water or soup.

Kinetic energy is used in separation techniques mostly in huge companies.

2. Potential Energy

Potential energy is the energy possessed by a body at rest. It may also be defined as the charge in the body. An arrow on a bow or crossbow possesses potential energy; the pulled string also possesses elastic potential energy.

Potential energy can be defined as the energy stored in an object’s position in a force field. This type of energy may be transformed from chemical energy of a young archer to the elastic potential energy of a pulled string or from chemical energy of an archer to potential energy of an arrow in the bow.

3. Thermal (or Heat Energy)

Heat energy or thermal energy is energy due to temperature differences among particles or molecules. Heat energy is mostly transmitted through direct contact; conduction, through gas molecules and water molecules; convection and through a vacuum; radiation.

Heat energy makes food warm, keeps us warm during cold hours via a home furnace, boils water and produces electrical energy for supply throughout electrical households.

Thermal energy from the sun is employed by salt companies in salt extraction and also the energy is employed in smelting companies and steel industries.

See Also: Different Types of Candles

4. Chemical Energy

Chemical energy is gotten from chemical substances including the food we eat which has stored energy from the sun, batteries, gasoline and petroleum products.

What happens to these chemical substances is that they get broken down in a series of action from which there is an output of energy for example food reacts with enzymes during digestion giving us energy for our day to day activities.

Chemical energy is what is used to run motor vehicles and also by our bodies to replenish energy which is needed frequently.

Related: Types of Chemical Reactions

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5. Electrical Energy

Electrical energy is energy gotten from the potentiality of a charge in a substance or from kinetic energy. This energy is observed in electric gadgets including electric lamps, computers, phones.

Electric energy is derived from potential rest of substances like water, hot gas that will hence be converted into mechanical energy of a moving turbine in dams and finally to electrical energy.

Electrical energy is dangerous to humans and may cause shock or even death if handled carelessly.

6. Electrochemical Energy

Electrochemical energy is energy produced by electrochemical systems whereby there is a combination of electrical charges and chemical substances.

This type of energy may be used in extraction techniques of various metal elements.

7. Electromagnetic Energy (light)

Electromagnetic energy is the energy in a light or electromagnetic waves. Light energy is useful in visuality during darkness and also in the production of food in plants.

Light energy is mostly transformed from heat energy.

Electromagnetic waves or radiation are of different types with respect to frequency and are used for various purposes including radiography, communication, photosynthesis, x-rays and so forth.

Light energy is at times employed by ships to determine heights.

8. Sound Energy

Sound energy involves vibration of matter; it might be sound, gas or water. The energy evolved from the vibration of matter is what is called sound and it is most important in communication. This type of energy also causes a form of pollution known as sound pollution.

Generally speaking, sound energy is produced when there is random motion and its volume is dependent on the frequency of the vibration of the matter or particles in question. The sound energy is also employed in echo location by various fishing boats.

9. Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy involves fission and fusion of the nucleons to and from the atomic nucleus.

Nuclear energy is the most efficient, most complex and most dangerous of all energies. It involves the spontaneous decay of various elements that produce a high quantity of energy from low quantities of raw material.

This type of energy can be used to generate heat and electricity and its potentiality is on the inside of the atomic nucleus.

Some of the potential hazards of nuclear energy are pollution and emission of radiation that is harmful and causes all kinds of cancer and mutations.

10. Mechanical Energy

Mechanical energy is the energy involved with mechanical motion and position of an object. It is also the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy. Mechanical energy may be used to produce electricity in dams and dynamos.

Mechanical energy is more physical and may involve a series of machines.

11. Gravitational Energy

Gravitational energy is experienced through a pull by the earth forces and the moon. It is the reason as to why objects fall. Each body with a particular mass experiences a gravitational pull towards the center of the earth.

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