| Work is a force applied over a distance. Let us | | | | A compass will point at the earth's "dipole" magnetic |
| further define energy as a shifting back and forth, | | | | field. Dipole is the magnetic field that arises from the |
| but never truly changing one thing: it's constancy. | | | | two poles of a magnet. In the previous example of |
| The first law of thermodynamics: energy is | | | | the earth, that would be the north and south poles. |
| conserved. Thermodynamics is the study of the | | | | That's a long distance to carry forces! |
| movement of heat. This law instructs us that | | | | That brings us to wavelengths, amplitude, and |
| although the kind of energy in a given system can | | | | frequency. Science has discovered that ocean waves |
| change, the total amount can't. Energy is able to | | | | are transverse waves that move perpendicular to |
| travel seamlessly through systems, yet it never | | | | the direction of the waves. James Clark Maxwell |
| changes its structure or shape. | | | | discovered that electromagnetic radiation could travel |
| I find this concept enlightening, because you wouldn't | | | | through a vacuum at the speed of light. Before this, |
| normally think of energy as such a fluid movement. It | | | | scientists must have really wondered how that |
| seems more. I found it fascinating that all forms of | | | | happened. |
| energy are interchangeable. It makes one think about | | | | Gamma rays are the highest energies in the |
| the potential of newer energy as well. | | | | spectrum, and they are used to treat tumors and |
| All objects hold some internal energy. That is, the | | | | other medical needs in hospitals. The rays cause the |
| kinetic energy of moving atoms. Conduction is | | | | bad tissues to die, allowing the human to live on his |
| discussed as the transfer of heat through collisions of | | | | her excellent tissues. It really makes one think about |
| electrons and atoms. Leaders at the University of | | | | what happens as light moves. |
| Irvine that are studying the effect of aging, and | | | | Knowing all of the above, how can we better make |
| specifically how the breakdown of DNA over time, | | | | use of earth's energy? The answer is renewable |
| effects aging. | | | | energy. This type of energy use taps into natural |
| The group at the University of Irvine has made a | | | | cycles such as the movement of the wind and |
| fruit fly live twice as long by their experiments. As | | | | water, the heat and light of the sun, heat in the |
| they stated, it may only be a bit more time before | | | | ground, and the carbohydrates in plants. These are all |
| scientists discover a way to reverse or slow down | | | | natural energy sources that can supply our needs in a |
| aging, if they can discover the cause. | | | | sustainable way. |
| Thermal conductivity, the study of how energy | | | | Current levels of renewable energy use represent |
| transfer occurs, sounds very interesting. Radiation, or | | | | only a tiny fraction of what could be developed in |
| the movement of infrared energy and light traveling | | | | the United States. Since electricity generation is a |
| across a room, until they absorb, are also important | | | | leading cause of carbon dioxide emissions, something |
| to the second law of thermodynamics as well, | | | | needs to be done soon. |
| because it makes one think about the process of | | | | Renewable energy will also help alleviate our polluted |
| how atoms and energy move from place to place. | | | | air, water, increase plant and animal life, and help |
| The concepts of electricity and magnetism can be | | | | deter global warming. It's tough though, because |
| explained very differently from how Sir Isaac | | | | fossil fuels and nuclear energy are tough to compete |
| Newton explained gravitational pulls. One learns that | | | | with due to their widespread usage and politics. |
| lightning is a result of electrical charges, which come | | | | Still though, I encourage you, write your |
| about from the transfer of electrons. That makes | | | | congressman. Let them know that you are for |
| one think about what is going on to cause the | | | | renewable energy and you can even get petitions |
| lightning bolt, rather than just running from them! | | | | going in your area to see this come to pass. Over |
| It's also important to note that objects with like | | | | time, renewable energy sources could replace nuclear |
| charges experience a "get away from me" stance, | | | | generation altogether. Furthermore, because |
| while objects with opposite charges attract each | | | | renewable energy is homegrown, it can increase our |
| other. We know that every Magnet has a north and | | | | energy security as a nation and create a ton of jobs |
| south pole and those magnets exert forces on each | | | | as well. |
| other, and always contain two poles. | | | | |