View source for Energy transformations

[[Category:3B what is energy]]
[[Category:371_topics]]
 [[Category:Done 2020-02-29]] 
<onlyinclude>'''Energy transformations''' are processes that convert [[energy]] from one type (e.g., [[kinetic energy|kinetic]], [[gravitational  potential energy|gravitational  potential]], [[chemical energy]]) into another. Any type of energy use must involve some sort of energy transformation.</onlyinclude>

==Energy must obey the laws of thermodynamics.==

[[Thermodynamics]] is the study of how energy changes from one type to another. The laws of thermodynamics apply to energy and energy conversions.

===The first law of thermodynamics:===
[[First law of thermodynamics|main article]]

Energy cannot be created or destroyed (which is called the [[conservation of energy]]); however, it can be transformed from one type into another. In fact, every useful process transforms energy from one form to another. There are many different forms or types of [[energy]]. Some examples of everyday energy transformations are:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Scenario !! Energy conversions involved
|-
| Rubbing hands together to make them warm || [[Kinetic energy]] to [[thermal energy]]
|-
| Using a [[battery]]-powered flashlight || [[Chemical energy]] to [[electrical energy]] (in the battery)<br/>[[Electrical energy]] to [[radiant energy]] (in the bulb)
|-
| An object speeding up as it falls || [[Gravitational potential energy]] to [[kinetic energy]]
|}

===The second law of thermodynamics:===
[[Second law of thermodynamics|main article]]

Some forms of energy are more useful than others. Using energy always makes it less useful, even though no energy is actually destroyed.
	
[[Kinetic energy]] and [[electricity]] are the most useful forms. These are "high-quality" because they can be transformed almost completely into any other type of energy. Electricity, for example, can be easily used to generate heat ([[thermal energy]]) or light ([[radiant energy]]), break [[chemical bond]]s ([[chemical energy]]), move objects ([[kinetic energy]]), or lift objects ([[gravitational potential energy]]).
	
The least useful form of energy is low-temperature [[thermal energy]]. It can still be converted back to a higher-quality form, but useful energy is always lost in this process. Converting energy to a less-useful form and then trying to work backwards never gets 100% of the useful energy back.
	
For example, when a car runs, the engine will become hot (thermal energy). The warmth of the engine does nothing to help the car move or go faster. This wasted energy is an unavoidable by-product of converting the car's fuel (chemical energy) into movement ("high-quality" kinetic energy), however it can potentially be used for heating the cabin of the car to slightly increase overall energy efficiency. It is a challenge for all forms of power generation to minimize wasted energy and be as efficient as possible.

==PhET: Energy Forms and Changes==
The [http://phet.colorado.edu/ University of Colorado] has graciously allowed us to use the following PhET simulation. Click to run an interactive simulation to explore transformations between types of energy. Specifically, this simulation deals with conversions between forms of mechanical, electrical, chemical, and light energy.

<html><iframe src="https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/energy-forms-and-changes/latest/energy-forms-and-changes_en.html" width="800" height="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

==For Further Reading== 
*[[Second law of thermodynamics]] 
*[[Conservation of energy]] 
*[[Efficiency]] 
*[[Cogeneration]]
*[[Carnot efficiency]]
*Or explore a [[Special:Random|random page]]

[[Category: Phets]]
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