Primary Manufacturing Processes

CONTROLLING ENERGY

I. Introduction A. Energy, by general definition, is the ability or capacity to do work.

B. In order to use energy it, for the most part, must be controlled.

C. The story of human progress can be told in terms of the species ability to gain control of the surroundings.

D. Our investigation into the control of energy will focus primarily on the forms of energy, control systems, kinetic and potential energy, storing energy, and transporting energy.

II. The Forms of Energy A. The following are the seven (7) forms of energy: 1. mechanical 2. thermal 3. light 4. chemical 5. electrical 6. sound 7. nuclear

B. These seven forms of energy are all related, as we convert from one form to another and back again.

C. Mechanical energy is the most familiar form of energy because it is the energy involved in motion. 1. In other words, every moving object has mechanical energy and the resulting force can be useful or destructive. a. examples include: - a hammer hitting a nail - a leaf falling to the ground - water being forced against a turbine blade

D. Thermal energy also involves motion. 1. A part of radiant energy that is given off as heat. 2. This form is simply atoms and/or molecules in motion. a. examples include: -matter phase changes -friction -heat from a fire

E. Light energy is energy that is visible. 1. A second type of radiant energy that we can see. a. examples include: - photosynthesis - photoelectric cells - lamps

F. Chemical energy is the result of chemical changes. 1. These changes can be slow or they can be quick. a. examples include: - fossil fuels - food - explosives

G. Electrical energy is the result of a difference in potential between charges. 1. This form of energy is the result of electron movement. a. examples include: - electric motors - television - electric heaters

H. Sound energy is a variation of mechanical energy. 1. It is the result of pressure waves of the surrounding air. a. examples include: - speakers - microphones - cell phones

I. Nuclear energy is the result of altering the physical behavior of atoms. 1. Basically, this results by changing matter into energy. a. examples include: - fission of U-235 - fusion of hydrogen isotopes

III. Energy Control Systems

A. The two primary types of control systems are total control and partial control.

B. Total control systems have on and off regulation. 1. examples include: a. electrical switch b. electrical relay c. keyed devices

C. Partial control systems can regulate speed, force, and direction. 1. examples include: a. accelerator b. dimmer switch c. steering wheel

IV. Potential and Kinetic Energy

A. All forms of energy exhibit themselves as either potential or kinetic energy.

B. Potential energy is essentially energy at rest. 1. examples include: a. fossil fuels in the ground b. food prior to eating c. water stored in a tank

C. Kinetic energy is basically energy in motion. 1. examples include: a. rushing water b. a drunk falling off a bar stool c. rotating gears

D. To benefit man energy must be able to be converted from kinetic to potential and vice versa. 1. Changing potential energy to kinetic energy is generally easier to accomplish than changing kinetic energy to potential energy. a. Ways of changing kinetic energy to potential energy: - storage battery - mechanical flywheels - pumped water storage - clock springs

E. Energy can be transported as either potential energy or kinetic energy. 1. examples include: a. fuel tanker (potential) b. gas tank on a vehicle (potential) c. electricity going into home (kinetic) d. water flowing past turbine blades (kinetic)