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Energy

The Energy category covers the description, definition, and use of all types of energy. Questions of a general nature can be put in the general Energy category. Other sub-categories exist for Fossil fuels, Nuclear energy, and renewables such as Wind, Solar, Hydro, Tidal, and Wave power.

24,905 Questions

What types of energy is most commonly used for home heating?

Most electricity is made by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), so any time you use electricity, fossil fuels have been used.

If you have a gas cooker or use gas or oil for heating, then you are using fossil fuels.

How is radiant energy used in a plant?

Sunlight energy is trapped by the green chloroplasts in plants. In the chloroplasts CO2 and water are converted in sugars which stores the the sunlight energy that was trapped. The process is called 'Photosynthesis'.

Does vapor pressure of a substance increase with increased temperature?

Yes, the vapor pressure of a substance generally increases with increased temperature. This is because higher temperatures provide more energy to the molecules of the substance, allowing more of them to escape and form vapor.

What is the use of coal to geothermal power plant?

Coal can be used in geothermal power plants as a backup fuel source for generating electricity when geothermal energy production is insufficient. This can help ensure a steady supply of electricity during times when geothermal energy output may be limited or unavailable.

How does energy from the sun affect the geosphere or lithosphere?

Energy from the sun drives processes like weathering and erosion, which contribute to the shaping of the geosphere/lithosphere through the breakdown and transport of rocks and sediments. The sun's energy also drives the water cycle, influencing erosion and deposition patterns on Earth's surface. Additionally, solar radiation heats the Earth's crust, leading to processes like tectonic movement and volcanic activity.

What is geothermal potential energy?

Geothermal potential energy refers to the energy that can be harnessed from the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface. This heat can be used to generate electricity by tapping into hot water reservoirs or underground steam. Geothermal energy is a renewable and sustainable source of power with low environmental impact.

What are major pathways by which energy is absorbed by earth surface?

The major pathways by which energy is absorbed by Earth's surface are through direct sunlight (solar radiation), infrared radiation from the atmosphere, and heat transfer from the Earth's interior. Solar radiation is the primary source of energy for the planet and drives many of Earth's processes, such as photosynthesis and weather patterns.

What form is most of the energy that earth gets from the sun?

The majority of the energy Earth receives from the sun is in the form of sunlight, or solar radiation. This energy drives various processes on Earth, including photosynthesis, weather patterns, and the water cycle.

What statement best explains why different areas of the Earth have different amounts of heat energy?

Different areas of the Earth receive varying amounts of heat energy due to differences in sunlight exposure, which depends on factors such as latitude, altitude, and cloud cover. The tilt of the Earth's axis causes variations in the angle at which sunlight reaches the surface, leading to seasonal temperature changes. Ocean currents and land features also play a role in redistributing heat across the planet.

If energy and matter cannot be destroyed ehat happens to energy and matter when an organism is eaten?

When an organism is eaten, the energy and matter contained in its body are transferred to the organism that consumes it. The energy is used for various metabolic processes to fuel the organism's activities, while the matter is broken down and incorporated into the consumer's own body for growth and repair. In this way, the energy and matter are not destroyed, but are rather transferred and recycled through the food chain.

What term is used to describe energy that comes from inside the earth?

Geothermal energy is the term used to describe energy that comes from inside the earth, usually in the form of heat stored in the Earth's crust.

What energy is created from the earths heat?

Geothermal energy is created from the Earth's heat. This renewable energy source harnesses heat from beneath the Earth's surface to generate electricity or provide direct heating.

How is energy lost in a organism?

Energy can be lost in organisms through processes like heat production during metabolism, as well as through waste products like feces and urine. Inefficient energy transfer between trophic levels in a food chain also leads to energy loss as it moves up the food chain. Additionally, energy can be lost through physical activity and heat regulation.

How much of the suns energy is absorbed by land and oceans?

Roughly 70% of the sun's energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface, with about 51% absorbed by the land and 19% absorbed by the oceans. The absorbed energy is crucial for driving various Earth processes such as weather patterns and the water cycle.

What energy source is formed when organic matter is trapped underground without exposure to air or moisture?

Natural gas is formed when organic matter such as dead plants and animals is buried underground, exposed to high pressure and heat over millions of years, and without contact with air or moisture.

Why can't photovoltaic PV cells use all of the Sun's energy?

A photon or light particle that comes from the sun has a certain amount of energy. Blue photons for example have an energy of 0.4 aJ. Red photons have half that energy.

If a photovoltaic cell is built, a certain energy band gap is chosen. If it is too large, a photon will not be absorbed, if it is too small, part of the energy is lost.

For instance if a photon of 0.4 aJ hits a solar cell of 0.3 aJ band gap, it will be absorbed and create an electron with energy 0.3 aJ. This gives an efficiency of 75%. If a 0.2 aJ photon hits this solar cell it will not be absorbed. Of the total energy of 0.6 aJ hitting the solar cell only 0.3 aJ is absorbed, a total efficiency of 50%.

The highest efficiencies are reach with solar cells that contain several layers with different (decreasing) band gaps.

Does earth's surface absorb thermal energy at the same rate?

No! Different surfaces absorb and reflect differing amounts of radiation from the sun. The degree of reflectance is known as "albedo". Some materials reflect much more energy than others. For example snow fields reflect a very large proportion of solar radiation (they have a high albedo) whereas materials like tarmac (which is black and so reflects very little radiation, and conversely absorbs the majority of it) has a low albedo. This is why tarmac (and other dark surfaces) can become very hot on a sunny day.

What kind of energy is trapped in the Earth?

Geothermal energy is trapped within the Earth's crust. This energy is produced by the heat stored beneath the surface and can be harnessed for various purposes like generating electricity or heating buildings.

How do you benefit from the energy within the earth?

We benefit from the energy within the earth through geothermal energy, which can be harnessed for heating buildings, generating electricity, and other industrial uses. This renewable energy source helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

Is a moving truck a form of potential energy?

A moving truck is not a form of potential energy. Potential energy refers to the energy that is stored in an object due to its position or condition, such as gravitational potential energy or elastic potential energy.

What makes up most of earth's energy?

The Sun is the primary source of energy for the Earth, providing heat and light through various processes like nuclear fusion. This energy drives Earth's climate, weather, and ecosystems, ultimately supporting life on the planet. Additionally, the Earth's internal heat, generated from processes like radioactive decay and residual heat from its formation, accounts for a smaller but significant portion of the planet's energy.

When an object falls from a height and bounces it's energy changes form When a ball bounces it's potential and kinetic energies change Eventually the ball will stop bouncing Why does the ball stop?

The ball stops bouncing due to a loss of energy through various forms such as heat, sound, and deformation of the ball. As the ball bounces repeatedly, these energy losses accumulate, causing the ball to eventually come to a stop.

What is one of the greatest problems with geothermal power plants?

One of the greatest problems with geothermal power plants is the potential for subsurface environmental impacts, such as induced seismicity or groundwater contamination. These issues can arise from the extraction of geothermal fluids and the reinjection of wastewater back into the ground.