What is Energies: Definition and 314 Discussions

In physics, energy is the quantitative property that must be transferred to a body or physical system to perform work on the body, or to heat it. Energy is a conserved quantity; the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed. The unit of measurement in the International System of Units (SI) of energy is the joule, which is the energy transferred to an object by the work of moving it a distance of one metre against a force of one newton.
Common forms of energy include the kinetic energy of a moving object, the potential energy stored by an object's position in a force field (gravitational, electric or magnetic), the elastic energy stored by stretching solid objects, the chemical energy released when a fuel burns, the radiant energy carried by light, and the thermal energy due to an object's temperature.
Mass and energy are closely related. Due to mass–energy equivalence, any object that has mass when stationary (called rest mass) also has an equivalent amount of energy whose form is called rest energy, and any additional energy (of any form) acquired by the object above that rest energy will increase the object's total mass just as it increases its total energy. For example, after heating an object, its increase in energy could be measured as a small increase in mass, with a sensitive enough scale.
Living organisms require energy to stay alive, such as the energy humans get from food. Human civilization requires energy to function, which it gets from energy resources such as fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, or renewable energy. The processes of Earth's climate and ecosystem are driven by the radiant energy Earth receives from the Sun and the geothermal energy contained within the earth.

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  1. Vibin Narayanan

    I Do photons of all energies exist?

    If a quantum sistem can vibrate only in discreate energies, can there exist photons of all energies (All frequencies in the real number line)?
  2. M

    Finding range of bound/non bound state energies of 1D finite

    Homework Statement I'm currently working on a homework set for my intermediate QM class and for some reason I keep drawing a blank as to what to do on the first problem. I'm given three potentials, V(x), the first is of the form {A+Bexp(-Cx^2)}, the others I'll leave out. I'm asked to draw the...
  3. T

    I Is the velocity of two photons of different energies same?

    Is the velocity of two photos of same radiation(light) with different energies same ?? (also in Same medium) Will energy alter the velocity of photon?
  4. M

    Comparison of internal energies: hot nail versus beaker of water

    Homework Statement [/B] A nail is heated in a bunsen burner flame and is about to be dropped into a beaker of water at room temperature. a) Which of the two substances (nail or water) would you expect to initially have: i) the highest internal energy ii) the highest average kinetic...
  5. A

    Heat energy and liquid nitrogen boil-off rate

    Homework Statement Kindly refer to part (c). The woking should be power/0.35 (what I think according to the graph). But the answer is power (that is the answer of part b) divided by 0.02 Homework Equations I have used the ratio method simply The Attempt at a Solution According to part (b)...
  6. Garlic

    I Electron wave energies different for +½ and -½ spin?

    Hello everyone, How come the electron wave energy states are different for spin -½ and +½ values? What causes this asymmetry?
  7. C

    A ball being hit, find the energies and maximum height

    Homework Statement The longest homerun hit by Miguel Cabrera in the 2012 season occurred at Comerica Park and had an initial y-component of velocity of 19.8 m/s and an initial x-component of velocity given as m/s, where is some value left undetermined. Assume the ball left the bat 1.22 m off...
  8. Y

    Wave Functions With Same Energies Are the Same (only differ by a complex phase)

    Homework Statement Assume a particle with a wave function ##\psi(x)## such that ##-\infty < x < \infty##, that move under some potential ##V(x)##. Show that: a) two wave functions with same energies can only differ by a complex phase; b) if the potential is real, then you can choose the wave...
  9. DavidReishi

    I Photon energies from Planck-Einstein: confirmed in practice?

    I understand that the photon energies given by the Planck-Einstein relation, though highly precise, are approximations. But have they been confirmed at all experimentally or in practice? If so, across the board or just some of them?
  10. Y

    Quasi-Fermi energies when illuminated with light

    Hi, anyone please check and explain me I used correct equations and this answer is right? Thanks!
  11. B

    How do I find the energies of these states?

    Homework Statement Here is the problem: http://imgur.com/XEqE4SY Homework Equations |psi_s_ms> = |s, ms> ⊗ Σ D_i_j |psi_i, psi_j>[/B]The Attempt at a Solution I know the singlet state in the |s, ms> basis is |0,0> = (1/sqrt(2))[ |up, down> - |down, up>] and that the hamiltonian for this...
  12. M

    Phase transition at high energies?

    Hi,I'm new here, and created my account solely for following question: Does the incompatibility between QM and Relativity indicate a phase transition at high energies? (as in: indicate more than a "could be")
  13. L

    Temperature Dependence of Donor Ionization Energies

    Donor ionization energies are calculated via the hydrogen-like model and use the static dielectric constant and effective mass to modify the screening between the electron and the donor. Nice and simple, I get it. But in a material the ionized electron needs to go someplace - presumably the...
  14. T

    Ground state energies and potential

    How to compare the ground state energies if diagrams containing x vs V are given. I saw a problem containing diagrams three potentials and they have asked to arrange them in order of their ground state energies. One was a potential well, and the other two had small perturbation in the middle...
  15. B

    Bond energies and heat of reaction

    Homework Statement Given that the bond energy of hydrogen-hydrogen bonds is 436 KJ/mol, that of hydrogen-oxygen bonds is 464 KJ/mol, and those in oxygen molecules 496 KJ/mol, what is the approximate heat of reaction for 2H2 + O2→2H2O Homework Equations Hproducts-Hreactants The Attempt at a...
  16. Robsta

    Ionisation energies of paired vs unpaired electrons.

    Homework Statement Why is it harder to rip off a paired electron than an unpaired electron? I'm trying to work out why the ionisation energy is lower for chlorine than for argon. Homework Equations Configuration for argon: $$1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^6 $$ Configuration for chlorine...
  17. Priyadarshini

    Enthelpy Change and Bond Energies

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution 6C-H bonds= 410 x 6 = 2460 kJ/mol 3C-C bonds H of formation= +53.3 kJ/mol H of atomisation = +717 kJ/mol H-H = 436 kJ/mol as H of formation is 53.3, can't I just do: 2460+3x=53.3? But then I am not using a lot of the values...
  18. N

    Allowable energies for a Particle in a box

    Hi, I am wondering about additional solutions to the particle in a box problem. In the one dimension the wave functions allowed all make sense with nodes pinned to an infinite potential barrier at either end and then divided into node increments related to the length of the box. However, in 2...
  19. T

    Average potential and kinetic energies for H ground state

    Homework Statement Calculate the average potential and kinetic energies for the electron in the ground state of hydrogen. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I know that KE = E - <U(r)>. I know that E = (-KZ^2e^2)/(2a0) and I know that U(r) = -KZe^2/r but I can't figure out how to...
  20. Jairo Rodriguez

    Dropping a mass on a slope, entering a loop and stopping.

    Hello, today our teacher told us that on tomorrow's test there is going to be a problem where you drop a mass on a slope which connects into a loop. The point of the problem is to calculate exactly how tall the slope must be for the mass to complete exactly one course through the loop...
  21. S

    Divergence of integral over vacuum energies (Free field)

    Hi, The Hamiltonian for the free scalar field, expressed in terms of the creation/annihilation operators, is H = \int d^{3}p [\omega_p a^{\dagger}_p a_p + \frac{1}{2}\omega_p \delta^{3}(0)] \hspace{3mm} I thought: \omega_p is a function of p as \omega^{2}_p = |p|^{2} + m^2 and so the...
  22. D

    Why is QFT insensitive to absolute energies?

    In the canonical formulation of QFT (to which I've been exposed), it is always argued that only differences in energy are physically observable and so we can deal with the fact that the vacuum energy is infinite by redefining the vacuum such that its energy is zero and we subsequently measure...
  23. Ryan_m_b

    Effect on efficiency when computing at lower energies

    Recently I've been in a discussion with someone online who claimed that the efficiency of a computer with regards to energy is not a linear relationship. I assumed that if you were to halve the power going into a computer chip (assuming it was designed to deal with that and wouldn't just turn...
  24. B

    Gibbs and Helmholtz energies of a superconductor

    Hello, I consider an ideal superconductor with the gibbs-energy $$ d G=-SdT + VdP - \mu_0 M V dH$$ and helmholtz energy $$ dF = -SdT -P dV + \mu_0 V H dM$$ Assuming, that in the normal state the magnetization is too small, so that G_n(H) = G_n(H=0) and at the transition point H_c the...
  25. ChrisVer

    Lab frame symmetric/asymmetric energies

    I have one question which I need to verify as a thought. Suppose I have a particle collider for symmetric energies e^\pm, that give as a result the Y(4S) resonance which later decays in B mesons. Then the lab-frame is equivalent to the rest frame of the e^\pm system and the Y(4S) is at rest in...
  26. W

    IR Spectoscopy - Photon Energies

    Hi! I would like to ask some general question about IR spectroscopy. During absorption of IR photons two quantities have to be conserved, energy ##\hbar \omega_{photon} = \hbar \omega_{phonon}## and momentum ##\hbar k_{photon} = \hbar k_{phonon}##. Wouldn't these two quantities be conserved at...
  27. J

    Are photon energies constant for any observers?

    Title should be: Are photon energies constant along null geodesics? [Mentor's note: Title corrected] As I understand it in general relativity the paths of light rays, given by null geodesics, are scale invariant. Is that correct? Now Maxwell's equations in flat Minkowski spacetime are also...
  28. M

    Why aren't all Cosmic Ray energies 'effective'?

    On the Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays Wikipedia page there is an explanation that the 'effective' energy of cosmic rays differs from the actual(?) energy; and that 'only a small fraction is available for interaction'. How can that be, why isn't all energy 'effective'? "The energy of this...
  29. squelch

    The allowed radii and energies of positronium

    Homework Statement Positronium is a hydrogen-like atom consisting of a proton and an electron revolving around each other. Find the allowed radii and energies of the system. Homework Equations See solution attempt. The Attempt at a Solution The allowed radii of the positron/electron system...
  30. ryanuser

    Why Does the Kinetic Energy of Photoelectrons Rise Up to a Maximum?

    Hi Why kinetic energy of photoelectrons rise up to a maximum? Thanks
  31. J

    Are atomic energies increasing as the Universe expands?

    Starting from the FRW metric (for simplicity flat space, radial direction only): $$ds^2=-c^2dt^2+a(t)^2dr^2$$ If we take dt=0 then the proper distance ds(t) between two spatially separated points at cosmological time t is given by: $$ds(t)=a(t)dr$$ Now at the present time t_0 we can define...
  32. R

    How to relate mass defect to kinetic energies?

    Homework Statement Just one more nuclear question if I may, Homework Equations None. The Attempt at a Solution I can do the first part of this question, but am unsure on the second part. I thought it may be related to the Q-factor (the difference in energy of the initial and final products...
  33. M

    Beta Particles -- range of energies?

    Hello, I was wondering if someone could explain to me what does it meant that a beta particle has a range of energies ? Thanks
  34. S

    Find the capacitance from 2 energies stored, not knowing voltage

    Hi there, new to this website so please bare with me if I break any rules and let me know for future. I am a maths and physics tutor but occasionally I come across a question I just cannot work the answer for. In this case I know the answer but I can't get to it. 1. Homework Statement...
  35. B

    Calculating Ion-Ion and Ion-Dipole Interaction Energies in Aqueous Solutions

    Homework Statement Neglecting hydrogen-bonding, calculate the interaction energy between (i) H3O+ and H2O and (ii) H3O+ and H3O+, if each pair is separated by 0.3 nm and assuming that the aqueous solvent can be treated as a medium with constant relative permittivity. Using your result...
  36. U

    Scattering Cross Section - At high energies

    Homework Statement Why does ## \frac{ e^+ + e^- \rightarrow \mu^+ + \mu^- }{e^+ + e^- \rightarrow \tau^+ + \tau^- } \rightarrow 1## at high energies? Would it be the same if it was ## \frac{ e^+ + e^- \rightarrow \mu^+ + \mu^- }{e^+ + e^- \rightarrow e^+ + e^- }##? Homework EquationsThe...
  37. B

    Energies of interaction between molecules

    Homework Statement Estimate the energies of interaction at 25 °C between (i) two hydrogen molecules and (ii) two nitrogen molecules, if each pair is separated by 0.3 nm. Explain fully and clearly your reasoning and any assumptions you make in your answer. State the source of the values of any...
  38. B

    Interaction Energies and Debye Length

    Homework Statement (c) (i) Neglecting hydrogen-bonding, calculate the interaction energy between (i) H3O+ and H2O and (ii) H3O+ and H3O+ , if each pair is separated by 0.3 nm and assuming that the aqueous solvent can be treated as a medium with constant relative permittivity. Using your result...
  39. C

    Analysis Problems with calibrate shifts in energies

    Hello! Well this is a quite embarrassing problem but I think my maths has disappeared the last years. So I"m working on some calculations and i want to compare with the expermental data but there's a shift on energy that it has to be apply. So I thought I just need to to a simple calibration...
  40. G

    Proton to neutron conversion at relativistic energies

    The reaction p→n+e++νe is common inside nucleus. But it not considered when we talk about free particle and reason is simply given mass of products being larger than reactants. Now my question is if there is a high energy proton having total energy in order of 2 GeV or let it to be 100 GeV (To...
  41. H

    DFT Hybrid Functionals: Inclusion of HF Exact Exchange Energies

    Hello ! How does the inclusion of a fraction of the HF "exact exchange energies" in an hybrid functional (B3LYP for example) can degrade the quality of the results ? I mean that the results are worst than expected because of the HF exchange, but if we call it "exact" how is it possible ? Thank...
  42. M

    Why are high energies needed in colliders

    Why are such high beam energies required at particle colliders to produce new physics/particles? The Higgs particle has energy of ~MeV so why are ~TeV energies required? Furthermore, by what mechanism does the energy get converted into particles/mass?
  43. G

    Light & Electron Energy: Comparing Quantized Energies

    I was reading a section of a chemistry textbook describing electron energy shells. It compares the electrons to light saying that electrons energies are quantized and so are light energies. Electrons can only jump from one specific energy level to another with no intermediary energy levels. I...
  44. J

    Light photons, color and energies of molecules.

    Hi, so I'm a first year neuroscience student at Carelton University in Canada. I had a little bit of a "revelation" with this topic recently after I understood it a bit better and I think this is really interesting. (If I understand it correctly!) We're learning about Kekule structures...
  45. A

    Lanthanide Crystal Field Splitting Energies

    Hey all, This is a problem I can't really wrap my head around. 1.) The lanthanoid series is formed through the progressive filling of the 4f subshell, whereas the first row transition metal series is formed through the progressive filling of the 3d subshell. a) What is the relative...
  46. B

    Analytical solution for bound state energies of infinite well

    Hi there I am trying to find bound state energies assuming infinite potential. I have been told it can be done by analytically solving Right Hand Side and Left Hand Side of an equation such as: E^1/2 tan(2ma^2E/4hbar)^1/2 = (V0-E)^1/2 If solved properly, it should give one curve (RHS), crossed...
  47. S

    Potential energies and finding the distance

    Homework Statement A horizontal spring with psring constant k = 15.19 N/m is compressed 23.11 cm fro mits equil. position. A hockey puck with mass m = 170.0g is placed against the end of the spring. The friction coefficient is 0.02221. How far does the hockey puck travel? k = 15.19 N/m x =...
  48. N

    High energies during wave function "collapse"?

    Greetings, I was wondering if anybody knew whether or not the moment of wavefunction measurement is always associated with a high energy. I know that we require smaller and smaller wavelengths of light to probe smaller distances, and since energy increases as wavelength decreases, I was...
  49. B3NR4Y

    Relating Kinetic Energies and Masses of Two Objects

    Homework Statement Two objects of inertias m1 and m2 start from rest and then interact with each other (assume neither is interacting with any other object). What is the ratio of their kinetic energies at any instant? Homework Equations \frac{K_{1}}{K_{2}} = ? The first part of the equation...
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