Transferring energy
Energy often needs to be transferred from one location to another, for example from a A structure built to slow down or stop the flow of water creating a large lake or reservoir, which can be used for electricity generation. to a city office block. It is also possible to transfer energy between forms. For example, Energy that is produced in a chemical reaction between two compounds. from agricultural waste (a form of The dry mass of an organism.). As the biomass burns, it heats water to create steam. The steam then turns a turbine, which generates electricity. The electricity can then flow along wires and can be used to power street lights.
There are five main ways in which energy can be transferred from one form to another:
- mechanical
- electrical
- conduction
- convection
- radiation
Mechanical
The Energy which an object possesses by being in motion. movement of objects can transfer energy through individual parts of a machine, called mechanisms. For example, when the pedals on a bicycle are turned, the energy is transferred to the rear wheel by a chain and The toothed wheel a chain attaches to. .
Electrical
When a circuit is complete, electrical charge moves along conductive materials, eg aluminium and copper. This can be used on a large scale to move electricity from a power station through overhead lines to substations near homes, or on a small scale when an appliance is plugged in at home to a power socket.
Conduction
The transfer of heat through a material by transferring kinetic energy from one particle to another. is the transfer of energy (through heat or electricity) from one atom to another when the atoms are in direct contact with one another. For example, when hot water is poured into a cold mug, the mug becomes hot and the temperature of the water reduces slightly.
Convection
The transfer of heat energy through a moving liquid or gas. is when energy is transferred in liquids or gases. For example, when fuel is burned in a hot air balloon and the heat created from it causes the balloon to lift.
Radiation
Energy carried by particles from a radioactive substance, or spreading out from a source. is the transfer of energy through waves, light, microwave, radio or Radiation which transfers heat energy. Part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a longer wavelength than light waves but a shorter wavelength than radio waves.. For example, the Wireless technology used for transmitting data over short distances. transmitter in a mobile phone transfers harmless energy through radio waves to send data to a receiver, eg wireless headphones.
