| Work is a force applied over a distance. Let us | | | | two poles. |
| further define energy as a shifting back and forth, | | | | A compass will point at the earth's "dipole" |
| but never truly changing one thing: it's constancy. | | | | magnetic field. Dipole is the magnetic field that |
| The first law of thermodynamics: energy is | | | | arises from the two poles of a magnet. In the |
| conserved. Thermodynamics is the study of the | | | | previous example of the earth, that would be the |
| movement of heat. This law instructs us that | | | | north and south poles. That's a long distance to |
| although the kind of energy in a given system can | | | | carry forces! |
| change, the total amount can't. Energy is able to | | | | That brings us to wavelengths, amplitude, and |
| travel seamlessly through systems, yet it never | | | | frequency. Science has discovered that ocean |
| changes its structure or shape. | | | | waves are transverse waves that move |
| I find this concept enlightening, because you | | | | perpendicular to the direction of the waves. |
| wouldn't normally think of energy as such a fluid | | | | James Clark Maxwell discovered that |
| movement. It seems more. I found it fascinating | | | | electromagnetic radiation could travel through a |
| that all forms of energy are interchangeable. It | | | | vacuum at the speed of light. Before this, |
| makes one think about the potential of newer | | | | scientists must have really wondered how that |
| energy as well. | | | | happened. |
| All objects hold some internal energy. That is, the | | | | Gamma rays are the highest energies in the |
| kinetic energy of moving atoms. Conduction is | | | | spectrum, and they are used to treat tumors and |
| discussed as the transfer of heat through collisions | | | | other medical needs in hospitals. The rays cause |
| of electrons and atoms. Leaders at the University | | | | the bad tissues to die, allowing the human to live |
| of Irvine that are studying the effect of aging, | | | | on his/her excellent tissues. It really makes one |
| and specifically how the breakdown of DNA over | | | | think about what happens as light moves. |
| time, effects aging. | | | | Knowing all of the above, how can we better |
| The group at the University of Irvine has made a | | | | make use of earth's energy? The answer is |
| fruit fly live twice as long by their experiments. | | | | renewable energy. This type of energy use taps |
| As they stated, it may only be a bit more time | | | | into natural cycles such as the movement of the |
| before scientists discover a way to reverse or | | | | wind and water, the heat and light of the sun, |
| slow down aging, if they can discover the cause. | | | | heat in the ground, and the carbohydrates in |
| Thermal conductivity, the study of how energy | | | | plants. These are all natural energy sources that |
| transfer occurs, sounds very interesting. Radiation, | | | | can supply our needs in a sustainable way. |
| or the movement of infrared energy and light | | | | Current levels of renewable energy use represent |
| traveling across a room, until they absorb, are | | | | only a tiny fraction of what could be developed in |
| also important to the second law of | | | | the United States. Since electricity generation is a |
| thermodynamics as well, because it makes one | | | | leading cause of carbon dioxide emissions, |
| think about the process of how atoms and | | | | something needs to be done soon. |
| energy move from place to place. | | | | Renewable energy will also help alleviate our |
| The concepts of electricity and magnetism can be | | | | polluted air, water, increase plant and animal life, |
| explained very differently from how Sir Isaac | | | | and help deter global warming. It's tough though, |
| Newton explained gravitational pulls. One learns | | | | because fossil fuels and nuclear energy are tough |
| that lightning is a result of electrical charges, which | | | | to compete with due to their widespread usage |
| come about from the transfer of electrons. That | | | | and politics. |
| makes one think about what is going on to cause | | | | Still though, I encourage you, write your |
| the lightning bolt, rather than just running from | | | | congressman. Let them know that you are for |
| them! | | | | renewable energy and you can even get petitions |
| It's also important to note that objects with like | | | | going in your area to see this come to pass. Over |
| charges experience a "get away from me" | | | | time, renewable energy sources could replace |
| stance, while objects with opposite charges | | | | nuclear generation altogether. Furthermore, |
| attract each other. We know that every Magnet | | | | because renewable energy is homegrown, it can |
| has a north and south pole and those magnets | | | | increase our energy security as a nation and |
| exert forces on each other, and always contain | | | | create a ton of jobs as well. |