You have probably heard about the uses of chemical energy in our everyday life. For example, you might cook your food with gas or electricity. These are two forms of chemical energy, created when fossil fuels are burned. Electricity can then be used in all kinds of ways, such as heating and cooling our homes. Let’s take a look at the main types of chemical energy and how they affect our daily lives. To get a better idea of these types of energy, let’s take a look at each one separately.
Exothermic reactions
Chemical energy is used in various daily processes. In some of these processes, the chemical energy produced by the reaction is higher than that of the reactants. Such reactions are called exothermic reactions. For example, combustion and respiration are exothermic reactions. Some of these reactions even require energy to initiate, like a match, which uses some initial energy to ignite. However, the product of this chemical reaction still contains some energy.
Chemical energy is used in both endothermic and exothermic reactions. Some of the examples of endothermic reactions that use chemical energy in our everyday life are outlined in table 5-2. This article will highlight a few examples of each type of reaction and show how these processes are used in our everyday life. You’ll be amazed at the range of possibilities and the various ways in which chemical energy can be used.
Photosynthesis
In order to convert light energy to usable energy for our body, plants must have the ability to use chemical energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis begins when light strikes a pigment called Photosystem I. The light excites electrons in these pigments. This energy then passes quickly from molecule to molecule, including an electron-rich chlorophyll molecule called P700. P700 absorbs red light at 700 nanometers and boosts electrons to a higher energy level. The electrons then travel down a chain of carrier molecules, or “electrochemical chain,” to a destination.
In 1771, the English scientist Joseph Priestley began studying photosynthesis. He experimented on a sprig of mint and lit it up. The mint’s leaves produced a substance that allowed the candle to burn. These experiments later confirmed the concept of chemical energy. After this, Dutch physician Jan Ingenhousz continued these experiments and showed that photosynthesis only works when green tissue is present.
Electricity plants
We use chemical energy in many ways throughout our day. We use it to cook our food, which can be either gas or electricity. Gas and electricity are made when fossil fuels burn. Using these fuels to cook your food releases energy that is stored in them. Chemical energy is also stored in batteries, which can produce electrical power when electrolyzed. There are many other uses of chemical energy in our daily lives.
Battery power is a prime example. This energy is stored inside batteries, which are then turned into electricity by electrochemical processes. Chemical energy can also be found in explosives, such as TNT, RDX, HMX, and uranium. These substances have been used in wars and other conflicts since they were developed. Today, chemical energy is used to power light bulbs, computers, electric trains, and other common items.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy has several practical uses in our daily lives, including heating, cooling, and providing electricity. It is produced in the earth’s interior and can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, the energy generated is reusable. A geothermal power plant recycles the fluid it pumps to the surface. The fluid then cools in cooling towers and is then returned to the earth to heat and cool.
Geothermal energy can produce electricity in over 80 countries, including the United States. China, Iceland, Mexico, and Turkey were the leading producers of geothermal energy in 2015. In 2015, the global installed capacity was approximately 163,273 gigawatt-hours per year. This means that the annual utilization factor for geothermal energy in heating mode is equal to or better than 28 percent. By comparison, wind and solar power plants have a relatively short time-to-production cycle.
Motion energy
We all know that thermal energy is the power to make objects hot and cold, but what about motion energy? It is energy that an object can store in its motion, and is released when the object is slowed down. Think of hot drinks and boiling water. These two types of energy are directly related to one another. As a result, motion energy is the power we gain from various processes involving movement.
Kinetic energy refers to the energy associated with motion, and includes things like light, walking people, and speeding bullets. We also associate thermal energy with motion, and it is this energy that we use in our daily life to heat our homes and vehicles. The amount of energy a group of molecules absorbs or releases depends on the temperature. The higher the temperature, the more kinetic energy the group has.
Stored energy
Chemical energy is one of the most abundant sources of energy. It can be stored in chemical compound bonds and is naturally available in our environment. Chemical energy is produced by burning fossil fuels and is found in almost every place, including in batteries and firewood. Some of the most common forms of stored chemical energy are found in batteries, natural gas, and biomass. Chemical energy is also generated by burning wood or charcoal. Despite its abundance, it is still a limited resource that we need to harness for a sustainable future.
Chemical energy is used in our daily lives in many ways. For instance, food contains stored chemical energy. When consumed, our bodies use the energy in food to move around and carry out daily activities. Plants are able to grow because they receive energy from the sun, and this energy is converted into chemical energy inside the plant tissues. When we eat, our bodies use this chemical energy by digesting it and transforming it into forms our bodies can use.