MODULE 2.

CONCEPTS, THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL/

EARTH SCIENCE

B. Energy

Concept – energy is the ability/capacity to do work.

Theory – power theory

Work = Force x displacement (N-m) – Joule
Power = ------------------------------------------------------------
Time (s)

= Force x speed (N-m/s) or J/s or watts

Comparing the powers of carabao, horse and tractor:

Descriptors Force (N) Speed (kph)
Carabao – strong but slow 1,000 2
Horse – fast but weaker than carabao 800 6
Tractor – fast and strong (big wheels 2,000 10
for high traction)

Power of Carabao = 1,000N x 2 km/hr (1,000m/km/3,600s/hr) = 555.56 watts or

0.56 kW

Power of Horse = 800 x 6(1,000/3,600) = 1,333.33 watts or 1.33 kW

Power of Tractor = 2,000 x 10(1,000/3,600) = 5,555.56 watts or 5.56 kW

Although, horse is weaker than carabao, but because of its higher speed, its power is
higher than carabao. This could be the same reason why Manny Pacquiao wins over
his Mexican opponents.

Forms of Energy:

1. Mechanical – needs matter for it to propagate

Examples:
Moving objects – pushing/pulling other objects
Magnet – pull of gravity
Sound – longitudinal wave of air
Electric current – moving electrons

2.Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) – does not need matter, radiant energy that travels
through space (from the sun/stars)

Electromagnetic spectrum (ordered from short wave to long wave radiation):

Gamma ray
X ray
UV
VL (Violet, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red)
IR
MW
RW

The radiative force increases as the wavelenght decreases. Gamma ray has the
highest power while the radiowave has the lowest power (cannot be felt).

1
Principle – Law of conservation of energy – energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but
only converted from one form to another.

Energy Inputs (watts) = Energy Outputs (watts)

Examples:
1. Photoelectric effect in solar panels – electrons are ejected from metal when exposed
to sunlight.
2. Light Bulb – AC powered.
3. Billiard balls collision – mother ball hits other balls
4. Magat high dam with pennstock rotating turbine and dynamo.
5. Biomass gasifier – uses organic wastes for cooking

Activity: What are the energy inputs (watts) and outputs (watts) of the above examples?