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Welcome to your ultimate physics guide! Master energy conversion like never before with our step-by-step breakdowns.

Transformation of Energy

As per the law of conservation of energy, the quantity of energy in this universe remains constant. It means we can neither create energy nor destroy it.

However, we can change energy from one form to another. This is known as the transformation or conversion of energy.

Let us understand the transformation or conversion of energy with the following examples –

In a dam, we store water at a greater height, so it gains potential energy. By opening the gates of the dam, we allow this water to flow to the other side of the dam.  Thus, its potential energy changes to kinetic energy, i.e., flowing water has kinetic energy.

Examples of Transformation of Energy or Conversion of Energy

This water flows through pipes and rotates the big impellers of a turbine. This rotating turbine turns an engine called a generator to produce electricity or electrical energy. This electricity passes through an electric bell, an electric bulb, and an electric kettle to produce sound energy, light energy, and heat energy, respectively.

Thus, from the above examples, we conclude that we can carry out the transformation or conversion of energy from one form to another as per our requirement.

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Examples of Transformation or Conversion of Electrical Energy

As stated earlier, we can convert one form of energy into another form. Examples of transformation or conversion of electrical energy are as follows:

Examples of Transformation of Electrical Energy

• A table fan converts electrical energy to mechanical kinetic energy, heat, and sound energy. As heat energy and sound energy produced are much less in comparison to mechanical energy, we consider it a loss.
• When we switch on an electric bulb, a transformation or conversion of electrical energy to light and heat energy takes place. In this case, heat energy is dissipated to the surroundings as a loss.
• When we press the switch of an electric bell, electrical energy is converted to sound and heat energy. In this case, heat energy is very minor and normally ignored.

• An electric motor transforms electric energy into mechanical and heat energy. Here, most of the energy supplied to the electric motor in the form of electricity is converted to mechanical kinetic energy. For proper operation and the longer life of an electric motor, we should dissipate the heat energy produced as a by-product. Some examples of the application of electric motors are washing machines, table fans, mixer grinders, pumps, compressors, etc.
• In electrolysis, we transform electrical energy into chemical energy and heat energy. Here, we dissipate heat energy to the surroundings as a loss.
• The television converts electrical energy into light, sound, and heat energy. However, the heat energy produced in this case is very less and may be ignored. But while designing an electronic system like a television calculation of heat energy is very important as it can significantly impact its design.

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Examples of Transformation or Conversion of Chemical Energy

Examples of transformation or conversion of chemical energy are as follows:

Transformation of Chemical Energy Examples

• In automobiles, a transformation or conversion of chemical energy to heat and mechanical energy takes place. For proper operation and the longer life of a vehicle, we should dissipate the heat energy produced as a by-product. In order to do the same, all automobiles are provided with a cooling system.
• During the burning of wood, coal, cooking gas, or a candle, chemical energy gets converted to heat and light energy. We use heat energy for cooking and light energy for illumination purposes.
• A dry cell, voltaic cell, or any other type of battery converts chemical energy to electrical energy. We use this energy in daily life to operate many small electrical devices at home, like a torch, a mobile phone, a television remote, etc.
• When you do physical exercise or run, the chemical energy of food stored in you changes into kinetic mechanical energy.
• During the burning of a firecracker, a transformation of chemical energy to heat, light, mechanical, and sound energy takes place.
• In a steam engine, the chemical energy of the coal first changes into the heat energy of the steam. Then the heat energy of the steam changes into mechanical energy, which makes the train move.

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Examples of Transformation or Conversion of Mechanical Energy

Mechanical energy is of two types: potential and kinetic energy. Therefore, in order for the conversion or transformation of mechanical energy, the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy takes place. The kinetic mechanical energy, thus produced, gets further converted to different forms of energy. Examples of transformation or conversion of mechanical energy are as follows

• In a windmill, the kinetic mechanical energy of the wind is converted to electrical energy. Although, along with the electrical energy small amount of heat and sound energy is also produced as a by-product.
• In a generator, a transformation or conversion of mechanical energy to electrical, heat, and sound energy takes place. In this case, electrical energy is the main product, whereas heat and sound are by-products.

Examples of the Transformation of mechanical, light, and sound energy

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Examples of Transformation or Conversion of Light Energy

• During photosynthesis, a transformation of light energy to chemical energy takes place. Green plants capture light energy from sunlight and convert it to chemical energy in the form of food. We consume this food produced by plants and convert chemical energy into mechanical energy to carry out our daily chores.
• We use solar or photovoltaic cells to transform light energy into electrical energy.

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Examples of Transformation or Conversion of Sound Energy

• In a microphone, a transformation of sound energy to electrical energy takes place. To convert sound to electricity, the microphone uses magnets. Thus, we can also say that sound and magnetic energy together convert to electrical energy in a microphone.
• During a bomb blast, sound energy released travels at high speed and destroys everything that comes in contact with it. However, to destroy an object, sound energy transforms into mechanical energy.

Examples of Transformation or Conversion of Energy

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In this post, we will learn about the different forms or types of energy studied in physics with examples.

In Physics, we define energy as the ability or capacity to do work. As per the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed; however, it can be changed from one form to another.

Different Forms of Energy

1. Mechanical energy,
2. Heat or Thermal energy,
3. Light energy,
4. Chemical energy,
5. Sound energy,
6. Magnetic energy,
7. Electrical energy, and
8. Atomic or Nuclear energy

Different Forms or Types of Energy in Physics with Examples

Forms of Energy in Physics

Different forms of energy in physics are listed below:

1. MECHANICAL ENERGY

Mechanical energy is the energy possessed by a body due to its state of rest or state of motion. Mechanical energy is of two forms – potential and kinetic. The total mechanical energy of a body is the sum of the potential and kinetic energies.

The form of energy possessed by a body due to the virtue of its state of motion is called kinetic energy. Whereas, potential energy is the stored-up energy of a body due to the virtue of its state of rest or the position that can do the work. Some examples of these two forms of energy are as follows:

• A fast-moving stone thrown toward a glass window can break a window pane when it strikes the pane. Thus, the stone in motion has kinetic energy. Some more examples of kinetic energy are – a bullet fired from a gun, a rolling ball, an orange falling from a tree, flowing water, a boy playing football, a swinging pendulum, a wind blowing, a flying bird, etc.
• Water stored in a dam has potential energy stored in it. The water has energy due to its position at a height. When we open the gates of the dam, the water flows through the turbine and produces electrical energy.
• A wound-up watch spring has potential energy because of the wound-up state of its coil. As the spring unwinds, it does work to move the arms of the watch.

Examples of Mechanical energy – Potential and Kinetic energy

2. HEAT OR THERMAL ENERGY

Most forms of energy get converted into heat energy before they are used. So, it is one of the most important forms of energy. The energy released when we burn coal, oil, wood, or gas is called heat or thermal energy. Like other forms of energy, we can use heat energy to carry out the work. Let’s understand the same with an example:

Steam possesses heat energy; thus, it is capable of doing the work. It is our common experience that if we heat some water in a kettle with a lid on it, we notice that as the water begins to boil, the steam makes the lid lift. This is actually due to the heat energy stored in the steam. Based on this, James Watt in the year 1765 invented the steam engine. In the steam engine, James Watt used heat energy to drive the train.

All forms of energy are mostly converted to heat or thermal energy before they are put to use.

3. LIGHT ENERGY

Light is a form of energy in the presence of which we can see objects. Under normal circumstances, light always travels in a straight line, i.e., it has a rectilinear propagation, which also leads to the formation of the shadow of opaque objects. Most importantly, light is also a very good source for starting chemical reactions. Some examples of the usage of light as energy are:

• In the process of photosynthesis, plants produce food (glucose) from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight.
• Light consists of very small packets of energy called photons. These photons travel at very high speed – in fact, nothing in the universe travels faster than photons. These photons can move small particles. However, we do not feel the light energy because ordinary light does not move the objects around us. But a strong beam of light can move small particles like electrons.
• When light travels from an object to our eyes, we can see the object. It helps us to identify colors.
• By using photovoltaic cells, we can convert light energy from the Sun to electrical energy.

Source and Use of Light Energy

4. CHEMICAL ENERGY

Chemical energy is the energy stored in matter. Matter releases this energy during chemical reactions. For example, fuels like coal, petrol, diesel, and kerosene oil all have chemical energy stored in them. However, they release this chemical energy only during the combustion reaction in the form of heat. The chemical energy released by petrol or diesel helps to run a car or a truck. Some more examples of chemical energy are:

• When we eat food, our body processes the food particles to release chemical energy. This energy helps us to do work and keeps us warm.
• In chemical batteries, we convert chemical energy to electrical energy to perform various kinds of work.
• By combustion of various fuels in the presence of oxygen, we convert chemical energy to produce heat and light energy.
• In a thermal power plant, we convert the chemical energy of coal into electrical energy.

Examples of Chemical Energy

5. SOUND ENERGY

When any object vibrates, it produces sound energy. When sound produced by a vibrating body reaches our eardrum, it makes the drum vibrate, and we hear the sound of the vibrating body. Remember, not all vibrations are audible to human ears. A very high amount of vibrations (more than 20,000 vibrations per second) or very low vibrations (less than 20 vibrations per second) produce such a sound that is inaudible to human beings. However, animals like bats, rats, and moths can hear vibrations of more than 20,000 per second.

Since vibrating or moving bodies have kinetic energy so sound too is a kind of energy. However, unlike other forms of energy, it needs the presence of a medium to propagate. This is the reason why two astronauts fail to hear each other on the moon’s surface due to the absence of any medium. Some examples of sound energy are – an airplane taking off, a buzzing of a bee, a speech by a woman, the ringing of a bell, the popping of a balloon, etc.

Examples of Sound Energy

6. MAGNETIC ENERGY

Magnetic energy is the energy possessed by a magnet. A magnet can attract iron nails from a distance, and thus, the force exerted by the magnet makes the nail move toward the magnet. Therefore, magnetic energy can work from a distance. Since a magnet can move particles, it possesses one of the forms of energy. Some examples of magnetic energy in daily life are:

• In factories, to separate iron scrap from the heap of waste material, we use the big electromagnets fixed in the cranes.
• An electric motor used in a fan or other machines has magnets in it; thus, it utilizes magnetic energy.
• We can produce electrical energy by rotating a coil made of copper or any other conductor in a magnetic field. This is the principle behind the working of generators.

7. ELECTRICAL ENERGY

When we rub two bodies together, they produce opposite charges (positive and negative), carrying electrical energy. This is static electrical energy. However, if we connect these two bodies with opposite charges via a conductor, an electric current flows through the conductor. We call this electricity.

Out of all the other forms of energy we study in physics, electrical energy is of tremendous use in our daily lives. We use electricity at home to run our domestic appliances, at offices, in factories, for transportation, etc. Today, electricity is a basic necessity of life. Life will come to a standstill if electricity fails to exist for quite some time. Examples of appliances in which we use electrical energy are – lightning, fans, televisions, computers, air conditioners, doorbells, geysers, microwave ovens, etc.

8. ATOMIC OR NUCLEAR ENERGY

Energy stored in the nucleus of atoms is nuclear or atomic energy. A large amount of energy is produced when the nucleus of an atom splits (nuclear fission) or two nuclei of different atoms combine (nuclear fusion). During nuclear fission, atoms or nuclei of some of the heavy elements like uranium, thorium, or polonium split to form other stable elements. Whereas in nuclear fission, atoms or nuclei of small atoms like hydrogen and helium combine to form bigger atoms. During these processes, elements change into other elements by releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat along with radiation. We can use atomic energy for peaceful as well as destructive purposes. Some of the examples of usage of atomic or nuclear energy are:

• During nuclear fission or nuclear fusion, a large amount of energy is released in the form of heat. We can use this energy to generate electricity in nuclear reactors.
• The radiation emitted in the form of nuclear energy helps in the medical treatment of diseases such as cancer.
• For destructive purposes, we use atomic bombs to destroy the enemy in the war.

Out of all the other forms of energy we study in physics, nuclear energy is the most destructive one, if not put to use correctly.

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