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There are two answers to consider here - the laws of energy conservation, and the colloquial concept of conserving energy.

Law of Energy Conservation (Physics)

The law of energy conservation states that the total amount of energy in a classical closed system remains constant. This means that energy may never be created nor destroyed. Energy can be converted - such as light may irradiate a surface, and the absorbed light is converted into thermal energy, thereby heating the surface. Similarly, electrical energy in a motor may be converted into mechanical energy. In these examples, while energy is converted from on form to another, the total amount of energy in the system forever remains constant.

In quantum mechanics, mass and energy are transferrable - meaning mass can be converted to energy, and vice versa. This conversion process takes place in accordance with the famous Einstein equation of

E = mc2

where 'E' is the amount of energy (in Joules) and 'm' is the mass (in Kg), and 'c' is the constant speed of light (in m/s). This equation predicts with exact precision the amount of energy liberated when mass is converted into energy, or conversely, the amount of energy required to convert energy into mass. Such mass-energy conversions take place in celestial stars, atomic reactors, and nuclear bombs.

In the mass-energy conversion, it is conceivable to consider mass as another form of energy. When this principle is applied, then the laws of energy conservation still hold - meaning that while mass and energy may be converted back and forth, the total amount of mass/energy remains constant in a given system.

Conserving Energy (Society)

Energy conservation is a social concept in which individuals, including citizens, companies, governments, institutions, and other organizations, strive to reduce the amount of commercial energy they consume. While each individual's contribution to energy conservation may be miniscule, the cumulative effect of all individuals each conserving a small amount of energy has proven to yield dramatic results on the macro scale. In such conservation efforts, individuals reduce the amount of fossil fuels and/or electricity they consume.

All energy conservation efforts fall into one of two categories - direct and indirect. Direct conservation efforts seek to alter people's lifestyles and behaviors in a manner that reduces the total amount of energy consumed. Direct energy conservation leads to a reduction in energy consumption only while the modified behavior persists - the energy conservation benefits cease as soon as the person returns to the pre-conservation behavior. An example is remembering to always turn the lights off when not in a room, or setting the thermostat in the winter to 68o instead of 72o. Both these activities directly lead to a reduction in the consumption of electricity and/or fossil fuels only as long as the conservation activities continue.

Indirect energy consumption efforts are one-time measures that lead to a sustained reduction in electricity and/or fossil fuel consumption. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs is done only once, however this measure leads to a sustained reduction in electricity consumption. Choosing to purchase a more fuel efficient automobile is another example of a one-time indirect energy conservation measure that returns lasting conservation effects.

Indirect energy conservation may take many forms. Energy recovery, for example, occurs in many industrial and commercial settings in which previously "wasted" energy is now re-used for other purposes. A blast furnace's hot exhaust, for example, was typically vented to the outside environment. Now the exhaust heat is reclaimed using an energy recovery system, and that recovered energy is used to make steam that drives turbine driven electricity generators. Some hybrid vehicles also recover energy by converting the car's kinetic energy (motion) back into electrical energy when the driver coasts or applies the brakes. A non-hybrid car dissipates (wastes) this kinetic energy as thermal friction, whereas the energy-recovery equipped hybrid vehicle converts and stores some of the kinetic energy for later use as electricity.

Technology offers a direct-to-indirect solutions in many energy conservation scenarios. For example, a homeowner can install a programmable thermostat that regulates the temperature based on the living patterns. Offices may install motion sensors that automatically turn off lights when no one occupies a room. In these cases, technology supplants human behavior modification, often with more reliable energy conservation results.

At the social scale, a community must practice both direct and indirect energy conservation methods to minimize energy consumption. A city may install a fuel efficient mass transportation system, for example (an indirect effort), but it must also convince its denizens to stop driving their cars to work every day, and start commuting on the mass transit system (a direct effort). Some jurisdictions impose measures to modify energy consumption behavior. London and Hong Kong, for example, regulate or tax the use of vehicles for commuting purposes. Similarly, many regions in North America charge consumers a premium for consuming electricity during peak load periods.

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Pearline Blick

Lvl 13
2y ago

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