DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENERGY

Introduction
Energy of a body is its capacity to do work.
Nature has provided us with different forms of energy. Few of them are: Solar energy, Wind Energy, Heat
Energy, Kinetic and Potential Energy (collectively called Mechanical Energy). In this PPT, we will be
covering Solar Energy, Heat Energy, Light energy, Chemical Energy, Hydro energy and Electrical
Energy.

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 SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy is the energy radiated out by Sun. As it is too diffused, it cannot be used directly to perform a work. A number of
devices have been made in order to tackle the same and make use of the energy. These are:
(i) Solar Panels:
A solar panel consists of a black painted surface which absorbs the sun’s rays and heats the water which comes in its contact. The
steam thus produced helps in rotating the turbine of an electric generator and generate electricity.

(ii) Solar Furnaces:

A solar furnace has a large aperture and a parabolic mirror. The sun rays fall on this mirror and reflect the sun rays to a focus.
Hence, if the water is stored at the focus, the reflected rays can heat it up. The steam thus formed turns the turbine of an electric
generator, further forming electrical energy.

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CONTINUATION…
A Solar Furnace (Diagrammatic Representation)

(iii) Solar Cells:

Solar cells are devices which convert the solar energy to electrical energy. These devices have thin slices
of semiconducting material, which help them in this process. However, the efficienc of a solar cell to
convert solar energy to electrical energy is very low.

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 HEAT ENERGY

The energy release on burning coal, oil, wood or gas is called heat energy. The steam obtained on heating water is capable of
doing work. For example, in a steam engine, the steam obtained on burning coal produces mechanical energy which helps in
the movement of the train. Sun is the most important source of heat energy on Earth. Heat energy is also formed as a useless
form of energy in many energy conversions. For example, in a bulb, the electrical energy is converted into light energy. During
this conversion, some form of energy is converted into heat, which can be felt by touching the bulb.

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LIGHT ENERGY
It is a form of energy in the presence of which other objects can be seen. The natural source of light energy is Sun. There are
many other source of light too: candle, tubelight, filament of a bulb etc.
Light first falls on an object, which reflects the rays towards our eyes. This enables us to see. Light can travel in vacuum too,
which means, it does not need any medium.
The speed of light is 3 x m/s.- which is the fastest in the world.

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 CHEMICAL ENERGY
The energy possessed by the fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas is called chemical energy. Another name for
chemical energy is fuel energy. When fuels are burns, the chemical energy stored in them is converted into heat and light energy.
The food that we eat has chemical energy stored in it. Plants too convert the solar energy received from the Sun into chemical
energy during the process of photosynthesis.
In a battery too, the electrical energy is converted into chemical energy for storing. When it is put to use, the chemical energy is
reconverted into electrical energy, thus providing current in the circuit. This conversion takes place due to a chemical reaction
taking place in the cell.

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 HYDRO ENERGY
Hydro energy is the energy possessed by a fast-flowing water. This energy is used to generate electricity in hydroelectric power
stations.
Water is stored in a dam at a height. When this water is released, it is allowed to go down at a high speed. At a certain point, there
is a turbine in its path. Due to its fast motion, it possesses kinetic energy. With the help of this energy, the water makes the turbine
of an electric generator rotate, which then produces electricity.

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 ELECTRICAL ENERGY
When two dry bodies are rubbed together, a transfer of electrons takes place between them. Due to this transfer of electrons, they
attain a certain charge, and hence, they possess electrical energy.
The body that loses electrons attains a positive charge while a body that gains electrons attains a negative charge.
In an electric cell, the negative ions start moving towards the opposite electrode (positive electrode) and due to this, electrical
energy is produced in the circuit.

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Thank You