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Home > 4. Chemistry and Physics > Transformation of Energy
Podcast: 4. Chemistry and Physics
Episode:

Transformation of Energy
Category: Science & Medicine
Duration: 00:01:49
Publish Date: 2011-07-13 19:48:55
Description: Transcript: It’s a fundamental principle of physics that energy can be easily and readily transformed from one form to another. Everyday life surrounds us with examples of this. For instance, in a battery the chemical energy in a stored chemical bond is converted into an electrical signal or electrical energy which can then be converted into the motion of something, say a fan, kinetic energy. In a hydroelectric dam the stored gravitational potential energy of water raised is converted into the kinetic energy of a turning turbine which is then converted into electrical energy for other subsequent uses. In a car the chemical energy of the stored bonds in petroleum is turned into the kinetic energy of motion and some into heat energy. In the heart the chemical energy from the stored food that gives us all our energy as living organisms is converted into an electrical signal in the heart and then into the kinetic energy of the motion of pumped blood. In an astrophysical example, think what happens when a meteorite impacts the Earth. As it is hurtling through space towards the Earth, the object has a large amount of kinetic energy and decreasing gravitational potential energy as it approaches the planet’s surface. As it impact the planets surface the gravitational potential energy does not change, but the chemical energy goes instantly to zero. What happens to this energy? It does not disappear. It is turned almost instantly into heat energy, thermal energy. We are surrounded by examples of the transformation of energy from one form to another.
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