Introduction
According to physics, energy is the capacity to create definite changes within systems without considering the limitations imposed in transformation. Energy exists in different forms, can be transformed and used for various purposes. It is imperative to understand the concept of energy and its applications in the modern world.
Conservation of Energy
Energy conservation means reducing energy conservation by using less energy service. Conserving energy means resulting in no net loss of the component being saved lowering energy costs and prevents resource depletion. Energy is derived from renewable and non-renewable sources. The consumption of energy has increased drastically in the recent times implying the need to conserve energy. Loss of energy has far-reaching implications for the globe since energy itself cannot be created but is interred when converted.
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Energy takes different forms namely mechanical, magnetic, thermal, nuclear, and chemical and tends to become less and less available as times go on. Becoming energy efficiency is a major hurdle facing consumers and nations. Humans are the main cause of wasted energy. According to the Department of energy in the United States, seventy five percent of electricity is used to power home equipments. Energy in physics is a concept that allows people to save energy and sustain the existing sources.
Transformation of Different Kinds of Energy
Energy transformation is the process of altering of one form of energy to another. Changes in the energy systems are achieved through addition or removal of energy since energy is the quantity conserved as per the first law of thermodynamics. A change in the energy coincides with changes in the mass of a system, which is a computation of its energy content. Energy is derived from natural sources such as wind, waterfalls, and sunlight. It exists in the form of heat, light, sound, chemical, and mechanical. The forms are transformed into different types with minimal losses (Ping, Zhang, Wei, & Li, 2014). Energy transformation allows the society to use knowledge in the natural processes such as heating, lighting, refrigeration, and operation of machinery. For instance, an internal combustion engine converts latent chemical energy present in gasoline into mechanical energy, which is used in vehicle acceleration. The mechanical energy is then converted into kinetic energy as the vehicle accelerates. A solar panel converts energy radiated from the sun into electrical energy that lights a bulb.
Electric Generators
A generator is a machine used to convert mechanical energy obtained from an external source into electrical energy as the output. The converted energy is used in external circuits. Mechanical energy varies in source and may be derived from combustion engines and hand cranks. A generator does not create energy but uses the energy supplied to it compel motion of electric charges. It works in the same way as a water pump that causes flow of water but does not generate the water.
Generators are the main providers of electric power grids and are useful appliances for supplying electrical power in the event of a power outage. Electric generators help to avert disruption of daily activities and business operations. Electric generators are made in different configurations and for various applications. Modern generators are made based on the electromagnetic induction principle. The principle states that a movement of an electric conductor in a magnetic field induces flow of electric charge. The movement forms a voltage difference between the ends of the wire causing electric charges to flow thereby generating electric current. Types of generators include direct current generators and alternating current generators.
Fuels and Food
Fuel and food are natural forms of energy. Human beings and animals derived chemical energy from food through respiration. The respiration takes place in the cells whereby the oxygen from air combines with molecules from food. All living beings require minimum intake of food energy to sustain their level of metabolism and strengthening of the muscles. Foods include minerals, fats, proteins, water, and carbohydrates from which organisms drive food energy. Some food items such as carbohydrates have more food energy than the others. Food energy is measured in joules or its multiples; kilojoules ( Lund, Andersen, Østergaard, Mathiesen, & Connolly, 2012). Fats and ethanol have the largest amount of food energy per mass. Conservative food energy is founded on heats of combustions while considering the efficiency of digestion, absorption, and production of urea. In animal nutrition, energy is determined for each food component. On the other hand, humans consume food items having a specific energy intake being metabolized (Melkikh & Seleznev, 2012). Fuel is any matter that has the capacity of reacting to discharge chemical or nuclear energy as heat. The heat energy released is converted into mechanical energy using a heat engine. The heat is utilized for cooking and industrial production. Fuels are used in animal cells through oxidization of organic molecules to produce usable energy.
Biology and Medicine
Energy is an element of all the biological systems. Energy is responsible for cell growth and development. Energy is stored in the cells in structural molecular forms such as lipids and proteins. Energy in human body is spent during metabolism. An activity lasting for a short time has an energy output of up to 1000watts. Energy flows in the physical and biological systems through activity levels. Plants capture sunlight in form of chemical energy through photosynthesis (Lancor, 2014) . Carbon dioxide mixes with water, converted into high-energy compounds and oxygen released. The oxygen is used as an electron receptor to release stored energy. All living organisms depend on external energy sources to grow and reproduce.
In medicine, energy is referred in the various therapies given to humans. A human body is comprised of physical and emotional aspects as well as an energetic system for supporting and nourishing the entire body. All the bodily aspects are well integrated and use of medication and meditation has a placebo effect on the body to auto-heal. The energetic element in a human body has a direct effect on the emotions, physical body, and ability to heal
Energy in the Cell
Cells in the plants and animals have energy within them. Organisms store energy reserves from food intakes. Energy is stored in form of lipids, carbohydrates, and fats. During metabolism in human bodies often during an activity, the cells release energy and its flows through the physical organs. In plants, energy is converted during photosynthesis and oxygen is released. Oxygen is the receptor by which stored energy is released in plants.
Old Forms of Energy
Energy has existed among humankind for a long time. Since the time ancient man discovered fire, energy has been critical to the survival of human beings. Wood was the first source of energy used by people but as time progressed, man started using other forms of energy. Among them are coal, wind, oil, and hydro energy. Coal and oil were burnt to give heat, while wind and water were used to power mills. Oil was obtained from the earth’s crust or from whales. Most of these forms of energy are still in use today, but they are predominantly used in the generation of electricity.
Alternative Forms of Energy
In the modern age, increasing demand for energy and environmental concerns has caused man to explore other sources of energy. These forms of energy are commonly referred to as alternative forms of energy. These include solar energy, and energy derived from ocean waves. Of late, there have been attempts to build a viable fusion plant, which if successful is expected to produce a lot of energy.
Applications of Energy to the Modern World
Energy is a critical component of the modern world. In essence, energy provides the means with which modern processes are undertaken. In the modern world, electric energy and energy derived from fossil fuels is used to run machines industries (Hill, 2012). These industries manufacture goods that make life possible as it is. In addition, energy is used to facilitate communication and power electronic devices. The energy used in this case is in electric form, and it is used to emit electromagnetic waves upon which radios, television, and the internet are based. Energy is also used to power computers, for heating and lighting and to facilitate proper circulation of air in buildings. Energy is used in the modern world to power vehicles, ships and aircraft that are critical to mobility.
Applications at future job as a physical therapist assistant
Physiotherapy is a complex activity that requires a lot of skill. In the modern age, computers and machines are critical to the delivery of physiotherapeutic care to patients. Energy is critical to the operation of these machines. As such, a steady supply of electric energy will be needed n the occupation of a therapist. Knowledge of production of energy in the body during metabolism will be important since the clients need to be advised on their dietary habits and kinds of exercises to be undertaken. In conclusion, energy conservation is manageable when effective strategies are put in place. It reduces energy services and increase environmental quality, financial security as well as higher savings. Knowledge of energy, forms of energy, and how it is transformed is critical to all people.
References
Hill, T. (2012). Free energy transduction in biology: the steady-state kinetic and thermodynamic formalism . New York: Elsevier.
Lancor, R. (2014). Using metaphor theory to examine conceptions of energy in biology, chemistry, and physics . Science & Education , 23 (6), 1245-1267.
Lund, H., Andersen, A. N., Østergaard, P. A., Mathiesen, B. V., & Connolly, D. (2012). From electricity smart grids to smart energy systems–a market operation based approach and understanding . Energy , 42 (1), 96-102.
Melkikh, A. V., & Seleznev, V. D. (2012). Mechanisms and models of the active transport of ions and the transformation of energy in intracellular compartments . Progress in biophysics and molecular biology , 109 (1), 33-57.
Ping, Z., Zhang, L., Wei, C., & Li, Q. (2014). Development of an Electric Power Transformation and Energy Management System for Marine Renewable Energy Generation Plant . In The Twenty-fourth International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference . International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers.
Ridjan, I., Mathiesen, B. V., Connolly, D., & Hansen, K. (2015). Applications of SOECs in different types of energy systems: German and Danish case studies . Department of Development and Planning, Aalborg University.
