Energy
Energy is a property of objects that can be released or changes into one of many different forms. Several basic types of energy exist including kinetic energy, thermal energy, elastic energy, radiant energy, gravitational energy, and potential energy, Potential energy is different from the other forms of energy in that it does not describe the release of the energy itself, but a state in which an object may release its potential energy based on several factors, such as positioning, charge, or the object's mass, or resting energy. The energy released by an object can be stored in one form and released as another, with one example being an object that is lifted into the air, thus storing its gravitational energy and then dropping the object, causing it to release its charge as kinetic energy.
Relationship between mass and energy
An objects resting energy refers to its potential energy based on its own mass. Albert Einstein’s theory of mass-energy equivalence states that an objects resting energy is equal to that of its mass, and that any increase in that object's energy can be immediately observed by an increase in the object's mass.
Relationship Between Energy and Life
All living species on Earth require some form of energy in order to survive, and can attain the needed energy in several different ways, be it from plant life, animals, or through photosynthesis, Living organisms also rely on the energy being released by both the Sun and the Earth in order to survive, as any stop in the processes of either one would lead to large changes in the Earth’s climate and ecosystems. While some species, known as Extremophiles, would be able to survive in a more hostile environment, a major shift the the Earth's ecosystems would be dangerous to most organisms.
Human Uses For Energy
Humans can utilize the energy from sources such as fossil fuels, nuclear power, and a variety of renewable energy sources such as wind energy, solar power, and wave power to name a few. The energy acquired from these methods is used to power buildings, cars, electronics, and other equipment. Renewable energy in particular has become more popular as concerns over the burning of fossil fuels and its relation to global warming have risen in recent decades.
Other uses for energy include sound based equipment for ocean mapping, also known as Hydrography, more efficient means of operation for various industries, such as Aquaculture through the use of machines, and many more applications. Even energy released from places outside of our solar system can assist scientists in various areas of study, such as astronomy, where energy released from other solar systems or galaxies can lead to a better understanding of how stars work [1], or how humans could prevent a major asteroid impact on earth [2], for example.
Renewable Energy Around The World
In recent years, various countries and organizations have made efforts to move towards running off of 100% renewable energy. Countries such as Costa Rica have made steps towards more widespread use of renewable energy, including a 2 month period in the summer of 2016 where the country ran off of 100% renewable energy [3]. Other places such as Hawaii have also made steps adopting new methods of creating renewable energy with technology such as electricity producing buoys that can use the motion of the waves in order to generate power[4].
Organizations, such as Apple [5] and GM [6] have also committed to plans of running on 100% renewable energy within the next few decades, with the first major goals of each company being set for the year 2020.
See also
Other closely related articles in this wiki include:
References
- ↑ Carrol, J. (2016, September 21). Stellar ghosts reveal galactic origins. Retrieved September 22, 2016, from http://phys.org/news/2016-09-stellar-ghosts-reveal-galactic.html
- ↑ Dello-lacovo, M. (2016, September 7). Here’s how officials plan to save the world from a deadly asteroid impact - ScienceAlert. Retrieved September 9, 2016, from http://www.sciencealert.com/how-do-we-save-the-world-from-a-deadly-asteroid-impa
- ↑ Bec, C. (2016, September 7). Costa Rica has been running on 100% renewable energy for 2 months straight - ScienceAlert. Retrieved September 8, 2016, from http://www.sciencealert.com/costa-rica-has-been-running-on-100-renewable-energy-for-2-months-straight
- ↑ Bussewitz, C. (2016, September 19). Wave Power Energy: First wave-produced electricity in US goes online in Hawaii. Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2016/09/wave-power-energy-first-wave-produced-electricity-in-us-goes-online-in-hawaii.html
- ↑ Frangoul, A. (2016, September 20). Apple underlines commitment to renewables, joins clean energy initiative. Retrieved September 30, 2016, from http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/20/apple-underlines-commitment-to-renewables-joins-clean-energy-initiative.html
- ↑ Marc, C. (2016, September 19). General Motors announces plans to switch to 100% renewable energy | Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building. Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://inhabitat.com/general-motors-announces-plans-to-switch-to-100-renewable-energy/
External links
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