energy conversion

noun

1. the process of changing one form of energy into another, such as nuclear energy into heat or solar energy into electrical energy

More About Energy Conversion

What is energy conversion?

Energy conversion is the process of changing one form of energy into another.

Energy is a complex concept that physics defines as the capacity to do work. Energy is what makes things happen. Without energy, you wouldn’t be able to move your arms and your body couldn’t pump blood or digest food.

There are many different types of energy, including kinetic energy (the energy of motion), chemical energy (energy stored in chemical bonds), and electrical energy (energy that results from the movement of electrical charges).

The principle of the conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be converted into another type of energy, a process known as energy conversion. There are many ways energy can be converted from one form to another. Often, we use machinery or technology to change one type of energy into another, but it can happen naturally as well.

Why is energy conversion important?

The term energy conversion dates back to at least the late 1800s. Then, as now, it was used to refer to changing energy from one form to another.

The concept of energy conversion was developed over time by many scientists. The concept gained widespread scientific recognition in the early 1800s due to the work of scientists such as James Prescott Joule and Lord Kelvin, who based their research on the laws of physics theorized by Sir Isaac Newton. However, humans have performed energy conversion long before we had the science to explain it. Even early humans knew that burning firewood resulted in heat that could be used for warmth and cooking.

Remember, energy can’t be created or destroyed. Often, energy conversion results in less useful energy than was stored in the original source. We didn’t “lose” energy, but convert energy into less useful forms. When you use a lawn mower, for example, some of the chemical energy stored in the gasoline will eventually be converted into “useless” sound energy that makes a lot of noise but doesn’t help you cut your grass.

Did you know … ?

Your body performs energy conversion when it converts chemical energy in the food you eat into energy that your body can use. The human body is pretty good at this and manages to convert energy at 25 percent efficiency. This sounds low, but even an average car only manages around 20 percent efficiency!

What are real-life examples of energy conversion?

Energy conversion is a basic concept of thermodynamics. Unsurprisingly, energy conversion is often mentioned by scientists and others interested in energy production.

Sharp has a great solar energy power stand here. They have a solar chip with incredible 35% energy conversion. #ces

— Adrian Weckler (@adrianweckler) January 8, 2010

Energy Conversion & Combustion Sciences explores New Energy Conversion Opportunities for NextGen propulsion systems #AFOSR2013 #nextgen

— AFOSR (@AFOSR) March 8, 2013

 

What other words are related to energy conversion?

• energy
• thermodynamics
• potential energy
• kinetic energy
• chemical energy
• nuclear energy

Quiz yourself!

True or False?

Sometimes, energy conversion results in a small amount of energy being destroyed.