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Source of Energy

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What is energy? 

Energy is the power or capacity to do work such as the capacity to move an object by the application of force. Energy can exist in a variety of numbers, such as thermal, mechanical, chemical, or nuclear, and can be transformed from one form to another. Electrical energy is caused by the movement of electric charges called electrons. Energy is a conserved quantity, and the law of conservation of energy also states that energy can be converted in any form, but it can neither be created nor destroyed. The world has everything either in the form of energy or matter. 


Sources of energy 

Energy is used to power the devices we use for heat and light in our homes, for transportation and for the manufacture of all kinds of products. The primary use of these different sources of energy is to produce electricity. All these different sources of energy add to the store of electrical power that is then sent out to different locations via high powered lines.


There are 9 Main Different Sources of Energy:- 

  • Solar energy

  • Wind energy

  • Geothermal energy

  • Hydrogen energy

  • Tidal energy

  • Wave energy

  • Hydroelectric energy

  • Biomass energy

  • Nuclear power energy


Solar Energy 

It is the energy from the sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar heating, solar architecture, photovoltaics, and artificial photosynthesis. It is an essential source of renewable energy. The mechanism by which silicon solar panels harness the sun's energy and generate electricity is known as photovoltaic effect.


Advantages

  • Reduces electricity bills

  • Low maintenance cost

  • Technology development


Disadvantages

  • Weather dependent

  • Solar energy storage is expensive

  • Uses a lot of space


Wind Energy 

Wind energy is the energy produced through wind. It is the process by which wind is used to generate electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power and that mechanical power can also be utilised for specific tasks.


Advantages

  • Clean & environment-friendly fuel source.

  • Cost-effective


Disadvantages

  • Notice and aesthetic pollution

  • Threat to wildlife

  • Fluctuations of wind 


Geothermal Energy 

It is the heat that comes from the surface of the earth. It is contained in the rocks and fluid beneath the earth's crust. The oldest form of geothermal energy is dry steam. It takes out of the ground and uses it to directly drive the turbine. 


Advantages

  • High efficiency 

  • Little to no geothermal system maintenance.


Disadvantages

  • High investment cost

  • Location restricted

  • Sustainability


Hydrogen Energy 

It involves the use of hydrogen or hydrogen compounds to generate energy to be supplied to all practical uses. It is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen. It can be used in combustion engines or fuel cells. It is also used as a fuel in rocket propulsion.


Advantages

  • It is fuel-efficient.

  • It is renewable.

  • It does not produce harmful emissions.


Disadvantages

  • It is expensive.

  • It is difficult to store.

  • It is highly flammable.


Tidal Energy 

It is the form of hydropower that converts the energy obtained from tides into useful forms of power, mainly electricity. Tides are more predictable than the wind and the sun.


Advantages

  • It is a continuous, predictable energy

  • The longevity of the equipment


Disadvantages

  • The impact of EMF emissions

  • High construction costs


Wave Energy 

It is produced by the up and down motion of floating devices placed on the surface of the ocean. The energy provided is most often used in power plants, water pumps, and desalination plants. 


Advantages

  • It is abundant and widely available

  • Easily predictable

  • No damage to the land


Disadvantages

  • It is suitable for certain locations

  • It is highly dependent on the wavelength

  • They also generate noise and visual pollution


Hydroelectric Energy 

It is the energy derived from the movement of water. It has kinetic energy when it moves, which can be harnessed. Basically, it is the electricity produced by hydropower. 


Advantages

  • It is reliable and adjustable

  • It is emission-free

  • It is completely renewable


Disadvantages

  • Higher initial costs

  • Flood risk

  • Carbon and methane emissions


Biomass Energy 

It is the use of organic material to generate energy. Biomass is just organic matter that is made in nature like dung, grass clippings, etc. It is a renewable source of energy.


Advantages

  • It is carbon neutral

  • It is less expensive than fossil fuels

  • It's a revenue source for manufacturers


Disadvantages

  • It is not entirely clear

  • It can lead to deforestation

  • Energy generation requires a lot of space


Nuclear Power Energy 

It is the use of nuclear reactions that releases nuclear energy to generate heat. This heat is used in steam turbines to produce electricity in a nuclear power plant.


Advantages

  • It is less expensive

  • No greenhouse gases


Disadvantages

  • It harms plant and animal life

  • It is a water pollutant

 

Why are we looking at alternative sources of energy?

The main reason why we are searching for an alternate source of energy is because fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy which means they are not available in abundant quantities and cannot be replenished. Fossil fuels will continue to get exhausted if their consumption is not controlled.These sources of energy are limited and will disappear after some time. Fossil fuels are being consumed at a large rate. A good source of energy would be one that would do a large amount of work per unit mass or volume. Therefore, it is better to switch to an alternate source of energy.


How can we identify a good source of energy?

This can be identified when useful energy is either recovered or extracted directly or by means of a transformation process or conversion. A good source of energy fulfils the following criteria:

  • It is economical.

  • The energy source should be able to provide energy over a long period of time- which means it should be easily accessible.

  • It produces a lot of heat per unit mass- the output energy is more than that of the input energy.

  • It is easy to store and transport.

  • It produces less amount of smoke.

  • It does a large amount of work per unit


Conclusion

Most of the energy that we use is derived from fossil fuels, so that makes the chances of a bright and developing future without these resources quite bleak. However, there are more and more alternative sources of energy being discovered in today’s time to help us become prepared for a future wherein fossil fuels aren’t there anymore.

FAQs on Source of Energy

1. What is meant by a 'source of energy' in Physics?

In Physics, a source of energy is any system or material that can provide energy in a usable form to perform work. This energy can be stored and then released through physical or chemical processes. For an energy source to be considered useful, the energy it provides must be greater than the energy required to extract or harness it. The ultimate source of most energy on Earth is the Sun.

2. What are the key characteristics of an ideal or good source of energy?

A good source of energy should ideally possess the following characteristics:

  • High Calorific Value: It should produce a large amount of heat or energy per unit mass or volume.
  • Accessibility and Availability: It should be easily and consistently available for use.
  • Economical: The cost of extracting and using the energy should be low.
  • Easy to Store and Transport: It should be convenient to store and move from the place of production to the place of consumption.
  • Safe and Clean: It should be safe to handle and should not cause significant environmental pollution.

3. What is the main difference between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy?

The main difference lies in their rate of replenishment. Renewable sources of energy, like solar, wind, and hydro power, are replenished by natural processes in a relatively short period. They are considered inexhaustible. In contrast, non-renewable sources of energy, such as fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) and nuclear fuels, were formed over millions of years and exist in finite quantities. They are consumed much faster than they are created and will eventually run out.

4. What are the major types of energy sources used to generate electricity today?

The major sources of energy used for electricity generation are broadly classified into two categories:

  • Conventional Sources: These are the traditional and most widely used sources, primarily fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and hydroelectric power (energy from flowing water).
  • Non-Conventional (Alternative) Sources: These are being developed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Key examples include solar energy (from the sun), wind energy (from wind turbines), biomass energy (from organic matter), geothermal energy (from the Earth's internal heat), nuclear energy (from atomic fission), and tidal energy (from ocean tides).

5. Why is there a growing emphasis on switching from fossil fuels to alternative sources like solar and wind energy?

There is a growing emphasis on this switch for two critical reasons. Firstly, fossil fuels are non-renewable and their reserves are depleting rapidly, leading to concerns about future energy security. Secondly, the burning of fossil fuels releases harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and pollutants like sulphur and nitrogen oxides. These contribute significantly to global warming, acid rain, and air pollution, causing severe environmental damage. Alternative sources like solar and wind are renewable and produce little to no emissions, making them a cleaner and more sustainable choice for the future.

6. How does a solar panel (photovoltaic cell) convert sunlight directly into electricity?

A solar panel converts sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Each panel contains multiple solar cells made of semiconductor materials, usually silicon. When sunlight, which is composed of energy packets called photons, strikes the solar cell, it transfers energy to the electrons in the silicon. This energy allows the electrons to break free from their atoms and flow, creating a direct current (DC). This current is then collected by metal contacts on the cell and can be used immediately or converted to alternating current (AC) for household use.

7. How is energy generated in a nuclear power plant, and what is the key principle involved?

Energy in a nuclear power plant is generated through a process called nuclear fission. The key principle is that a large, unstable atomic nucleus, such as Uranium-235, is split into smaller nuclei when struck by a neutron. This splitting releases a tremendous amount of energy in the form of heat, along with more neutrons. These new neutrons then cause other uranium atoms to split, creating a chain reaction. The heat generated is used to boil water, creating high-pressure steam that turns a turbine connected to a generator, which then produces electricity.

8. What are the major limitations or disadvantages of using hydroelectric energy?

Despite being a clean and renewable source, hydroelectric energy has significant limitations:

  • Ecological Impact: The construction of large dams submerges vast areas of forest and agricultural land, destroying ecosystems and displacing local populations.
  • High Initial Cost: Building large-scale hydroelectric power plants requires a massive initial investment and long construction periods.
  • Geographical Dependence: Suitable sites for dams are limited to specific regions with large, fast-flowing rivers, often in mountainous terrain.
  • Impact on Aquatic Life: Dams can obstruct the migration of fish and alter water flow and temperature, negatively affecting downstream aquatic life.