Primary Energy Sources – An Overview

The total amount of energy in a system is known as the power or force that acts upon an object. Kinetic energy is one of the forms of energy. All types of energy are associated with movement. For instance, every atom has a definite amount of kinetic energy when it’s in motion; a spring, for instance, has the possibility of creating motion even if at rest. It must be noted, however, that the amount of kinetic energy is dependent upon the speed at which it moves.

Another example of kinetic energy is sound energy. Sound is created by the vibration of molecules. Kinetic energy is necessary for the existence of particles. Thus, it plays a very important role in the functioning of all living things on Earth. Some examples of uses for electrical energy include engines, television sets, and lighting systems.

Some systems have the property that they convert some of their consumed energy into other forms of energy. The most common is the conversion of kinetic energy into heat energy. If a system has more electrons than protons, it will convert some of their consumed energy into heat energy. Thus, if more energy is converted to heat than into mechanical energy, then the system is an efficient conductor of heat.

In cases where the system has no moving parts, thermal energy comes from some kind of inherent characteristic of some element or mineral. For instance, rocks are capable of storing this energy and are capable of transferring it from underground. When we visit the mines of different countries, the information regarding the thermal energy in different locations is available.

Nonrenewable forms of energy are mainly those that cannot be replenished. Examples of nonrenewable sources are fossil fuels, radioactive elements, solar energy, wind energy, ocean wave power, etc. One can note that many of these cannot be used as fuel; hence, they have to be stored in a manner so that they can be utilized later. Examples of renewable forms of energy include the use of sunlight, wind power, geothermal power, tidal energy, and hydroelectric power. All these methods have been tested and proven to be beneficial and effective.

The conversion of kinetic energy to some other form of energy depends on two main factors. These factors are the initial kinetic energy and the endothermic reaction. The initial kinetic energy is derived from the motion of the particles within the system. The endothermic reaction takes place after the absorption of energy in the system.