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