Energy is essentially the ability or capacity to perform work. It can not be created, but can only be transformed from one form to another. Many types of energy exist such as, in physics, kinetic, potential, thermal, gravitational, and elastic energy. In the urban society, energy is needed for one to function through a day. Over the years, humans have developed their use of electricity, oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy.
Focus: Electricity
In physics, electricity results from the flow of electric charge. It was not until the 1600s that electricity has been closely examined. William Gilbert, English scientist, researched about magnetism and electricity and distinguished between the lodestone effect from static electricity. He did this by rubbing amber. Later on, Benjamin Franklin, Alessandro Volta, and George Ohm further developed the concepts of electricity through experimental analysis.
Supply
In the urban and developed society, electricity is well-depended on. The electrical power industry produces and delivers electrical power to households, businesses and more. Supplies of electrical power varies amongst the nations; the demand of electrical power in some nations override their ability to produce. Developing countries do not have an efficient amount of electrical power supply.
Production
There are many ways to produce electricity. Such ways include:
- Hydro-electricity: Using the natural force/flow of water (ex. waterfall), the energy is produced.
- Solar power: It is very common to have a roof covered with solar panels. Solar panels convert the light produced by the sun into electricity.
Conservation
In physics, it is determined that energy is neither created or dismissed, but is only gained or loss. In the urban society, energy is wasted and not used to its full potential, resulting in the unnecessary fees that one has to cover. With the acknowledgment that energy is being wasted and will not be restored at the same rate as it will be used, people have determined ways to conserve energy. In other words, people have become eco-friendly by respecting nature and the right amount of use of energy.
Haylie
November 7, 2010.
