What types of energy can cause a chemical reaction to take place?

Answer 1

There are several sources of energy that could provide the activation energy needed for a chemical reaction to take place. Usually it is thermal energy, but photoexcitation (excitement by light energy) and electrochemical activation (excitement by electricity) are also commonly used.

Answer 2

The energy required to begin a reaction is known as activation energy. The most common form of activation energy is going to be heat. For example: combustible materials will begin reacting with oxygen (burning) when they are heated enough. Typically, if another form of energy is used, it will ultimately be turned into thermal energy. For instance, the kinetic energy found in an internal combustion engine can compress a cylinder full of air, which will cause the diesel fuel that is sprayed into the cylinder to combust. Although it was kinetic energy that was used, the end result was that the temperature of the gas increased, which caused the combustion to occur.

Another very common reaction that we depend on is photosynthesis. This reaction actually absorbs energy, rather than just requiring some energy to get it started. The energy for that reaction comes from sunlight.

Answer 3

You can use heat, or electrical energy as forms of energy for a chemical reaction

Answer 4

It is usually heat energy, sometimes it is electric energy, and sometimes it is kinetic energy like stirring, not to be confused with average kinetic energy (temperature)

Answer 5

The chemical energy in a substance is a type of potential energy stored.

Answer 6

No. Chemical reactions actually release energy. It may, however, need an initial small amount of energy to start the chain reaction, but the reaction itself creates its own energy.