Energy and its Sources

ENERGY

What is Energy? It is the ability to do work. Energy can be harnessed from a variety of sources. A few of the important ones are:

Renewable Energy

• Solar: Sun provide us with free unlimited energy. Disadvantages: This energy is not constant, but variable, and a large area is required to collect any decent amount of energy.
• Wind: Winds are caused by uneven heating of earth by Sun. Their energy can be harnessed by wind mills.
• Hydro: Harnessing energy hidden in fast moving water like in rapids or waterfalls is possible. The energy generated depends on the flow/fall of the water.
  

Non- Renewable Energy

• Crude Oil : is made from remains of plants and animals. Reservoirs are drilled, and Refineries make many products from oil viz. petrol, diesel, jetfuel, pet. Jelly, ink, crayons, deodorants, tires etc.
• Natural Gas: Colorless, Odourless, Tasteless. Mercaptan is added to the gas to provide a rotten smell. If compressed, this gas becomes liquid and can be stored in cylinders. It is also cleaner than other fossil fuels.
• Coal: Creaated by remains of ancient plants and animals in swampy places. Is mined either on surface or through deep mining.
• Nuclear: Energy can be created through rare and special elements like Uranium.
  

Electricity :
Electricity is a secondary source of energy i.e. we get it from conversion of other energy sources.
B enjamin Franklin discovered the phenomenon and Thoman Edison changed lives by inventing the light bulb. Electricity travels in circuits.

Since Energy plays such a crucial part in our lives, we must make sure not to waste it. We must use Electricity judiciously and use CFLs (Compact Flouroscent Light) where possible. Petrol and other fossil fuels should be consumed as less as possible since they can't be replenished.