10 Examples of Chemical Energy
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
The chemical energy It is the one that can be released in the different chemical reactions to which the matter, that is, that contained in the different chemical compounds. For example: photosynthesis, explosions, batteries and cells.
Chemical energy it is used daily in various areas of our lives in which various chemical reactions. It is often said that this form of energy is contained in bodies, and for that very reason we are will become evident only when these bodies are subjected to some important alteration in their matter.
In fact, all forms of fuel contains a chemical energy translatable to a quantity of hot, which can be turned into a certain job. And in that sense, any source of chemical energy can release its energy during the transformation of matter in which it was contained.
Examples of chemical energy
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Photosynthesis. The plants They obtain their energy from the chemical reaction that takes place inside them, between sunlight, CO2 and water, and form glucose (C6H12OR6) and oxygen (O
2). This energy product of a chemical reaction is contained in the molecules of the participating substances and is used by plants for their benefit and vital maintenance.
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The breathing. Animals require oxygen and glucose to release water, CO2 and obtain energy, essential to maintain the cycle of life. This is one of the processes that keeps us alive and that we share with the whole animal Kingdom.
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The combustion. When we start a motor vehicle, gasoline or the mixture of hydrocarbons that it uses as fuel is subjected to a cycle of controlled combustions and detonations that generates energy that, in turn, allows movement. This fuel contains this energy in the hydrocarbon molecules that during the reactions are transformed into other compounds and release energy. Butane is one of the hydrocarbons that make up gasoline:
- The descomposition. The mushrooms Y bacteria that feed on the organic material on decomposition can obtain the energy necessary for their processes fermentation from sugars and starches, and obtain alcohols or other products as a result of the process that breaks down the molecules of organic matter. This is similar to what happens in our stomach, where the acids they break the molecular bonds of the molecules that make up the food generating calories.
- Space travel. The fuels used by ships that travel to the moon or send satellites into space are not ordinary, like those consumed by an internal combustion engine. Rather, they are the result of highly complex chemical reactions whose release of energy is so great that it can counteract the law of gravity on an object the magnitude of a rocket long enough to leave the atmosphere.
- Corrosion. Many of the chemical substances that we handle in our daily lives, such as drain cleaners and others that contain acids or bases extreme, they are corrosive materials, capable of wearing down the surface with which they come into contact, in a process that releases heat and consumes all organic matter. Many corrosive burns are caused by the heat that decomposition of lipids of the skin it produces, rather than the effect of the substance itself.
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Exothermic reactions. Many substances (such as caustic soda) are so drying that when they come into contact with water, they react exothermically, that is, they release heat. These reactions, which are not unique to strong bases, release energy into the environment and can be dangerous to humans. living beings.
- Explosions. There are very chemically unstable substances that, when in contact with oxygen in the air, react releasing large and sudden amounts of caloric energy and they generate an explosion.
- Batteries and batteries. The batteries we use so much (remote controls, cars, cell phones) contain various acids and metals in a controlled reaction, the immediate result of which is a usable amount of electricity. When the batteries expire, this electricity is lost and the batteries must be replaced.
Other types of energy
Energy ppotential | Energy mecánica |
Hydroelectric power | Internal energy |
Electric power | Thermal energy |
Chemical energy | Solar energy |
Wind power | Nuclear energy |
Kinetic energy | Sound energy |
Caloric energy | Hydraulic energy |
Geothermal energy |
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