Did you know that according to physics, you can neither create nor destroy energy? Well, physics defines energy as the ability to do work. However, the normal concept we have about work is very different from the scientific one. Science dictates that work is causing a change in the state of matter. Changes could include shifting the position of an object, changing the temperature of an object or changing the form. If you want to conserve energy, understanding the basics of how it works is essential. Here are a few things you should know about the energy.

The States of Energy

Energy comes in two basic types

•Potential energy: This is stored energy awaiting its use.

•Kinetic energy: This is energy in motion.

You can categorize all forms of energy under the two main types of energy. Here is a breakdown of these forms.

Forms of Potential Energy

Potential energy comes in 4 basic forms. The first is chemical energy. It is the energy which exists in the bonds between atoms. The energy is also what holds molecules together. The second form of potential energy is nuclear energy. It is the energy that is stored inside the nucleus of an atom and holds it together. The third form of energy in this category is gravitational energy, which is the energy that holds objects in their place. Last is elastic energy. Elastic energy is a mechanical form of energy which is stored in an object when you apply a force to it.

Forms of Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy comes in five different forms. There is mechanical energy, which is motion or the movement of objects from one point to another. Electrical energy is the second form of kinetic energy; which is the energy which results from the flow of electrons in one direction. The third form of kinetic energy is thermal energy. Thermal energy is the internal energy which results from the vibration of atoms inside the object. Radiant energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves. Finally, there is sound energy, which is the movement of energy in objects as a result of compression of waves.

Understanding the Basic Laws of Energy

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed: There is a basic misconception that you can create electrical energy from water, or that you can create electricity from the sun. However, the reality is that you are just changing energy from one form to the other. For instance, solar panels contain photovoltaic cells which convert the potential energy in sunlight into electrical energy which is used for heating and lighting in the home.

The law of energy conversion: The principle of energy efficiency governs the conversion of energy. A useful machine is one that can convert all of the energy put into it to put the machine into useful work. However, the reality is that work will always involve the conversion of new energy form into usable and unusable energy forms.

Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Forms

Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will not be replenished in the next century. The most common types of non-renewable energy include fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum. These are energy sources that formed hundreds of millions of years ago and would take a similar period to replenish.

On the other hand, renewable energy comes from sources which replenish themselves daily. These include sources such as solar and wind energy. The national department of energy recommends the use of renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels to reduce the carbon footprint people are creating on the planet, and also to increase sustainability.

Energy is always around us. The only important thing is learning the forms in which it exists, and how to efficiently convert it from one form into another useful form. A lot of research is going into sources such as nuclear energy, and there is hope that soon, this source will be used to fuel the planet’s energy needs.