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. D

    How Does the Structure of N2 Affect Its Kinetic Energy Calculation?

    Just a quickie. For example, the total kinetic energy of N molecules is = (3/2)NkT = (3/2)nRT If a question were to ask you to find the such energy for a sample of N_{2} would it make the equation (5/2)kT? Does the subscript 2 make it diatomic, and hence have two molecules, I am not sure...
  2. G

    Higher energies and shorter distances

    Hi: In experimental HEP, Why are higher energies associated with shorter distances , and by the way, in order to reach higher energies or shorter distances, an increase in the size of the detectors is needed, Could you please tell me why?. For instance Why do we meed a particle...
  3. S

    Kinetic energies of particle decay

    Homework Statement A lambda hyperon \Lambda^{0} (mass = 1115.7 MeV/c^2) at rest in the lab frame decays into a neutron n (mass = 939.6 MeV/c^2) and a pion \pi^{0}: \Lambda^{0} \rightarrow n + \pi^{0} What are the kinetic energies (in the lab frame) of the neutron and pion after the decay...
  4. B

    Sum of the energies of the two photons

    Homework Statement A positron has the same mass as an electron but is of opposite sign (9e-31 kg). What is the sum of the energies of the two photons which are produced when the positron and the electron annihilate? Assume the speed of the positron is .93c (c is the speed of light) with an...
  5. H

    Exploring Al(111) Surface Adsorption Energies with Dacapo/Python

    Hi. I'm trying to calculate the adsorption energies at all high symmetry sites on an Aluminium (111) surface (consisting of a few atomic layers). The adsorbates are hydrogen atoms. I make sure that one hydrogen atom per primitive surface cell is adsorbed (i.e. one monolayer of hydrogen atoms...
  6. A

    Conditions for quantised or continuous energies

    Homework Statement For a particle moving in a potential V(x), what are plausible forms of V(x) that give: (i) entirely continuous, (ii)entirely quantised (iii) both continuous and quantised energies of the particle? Sketch, with justification, the forms of V(x) for each of...
  7. G

    Calculating Suitable Energies for a Muon Lifetime Experiment

    Hi, I'm starting a prac on muon lifetimes and we have been asked to calculate the range of energies suitable for the experiment... Thinking about this, I was a bit stumped as to what we were supposed to be calculating... Is this a limitation of the detection equipment? Or do low energy...
  8. D

    Constructing time-independent wave function with given energies

    Does anyone know how to construct a Time-independent wave function with given energies and probability on obtaining energies.
  9. N

    Calculating Point Defect Energies in Iron Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

    Hi everyone... I hope this is the right place to post. Anyway, I am a first year grad student working on molecular dynamics simulations (with very little background in materials, yay) of iron. To start out, I'm just trying to replicate some materials constants with a basic lattice to make...
  10. B

    Using bond energies to calculate energy changes

    Homework Statement Use the bond energies (in Table 4.2) to calculate the energy changes associated with each of these reactions. In each case indicate whether the overall reaction is endothermic or exothermic. Be sure to show your calculation work. [b]2. Homework Equations [/b The...
  11. edguy99

    Why doesn't the hydrogen spectrum show binding energies of 4.53 or 2.26 evolts?

    Just joined so I hope I'm in the right place: My Question: I read that in the creation of a water molecules, a pair of hydrogen molecules break apart releasing 4.53 evolts of energy. Why does the hydrogen spectrum show binding energies of -13.6, -3.4 ,-1.511, -.85, -.544 but not 4.53 or...
  12. M

    What is the formula for energies of a Bohr atom in a weak magnetic field?

    I have this problem to solve, but I can't seem to find the right formula. It says to use "an expression for energies of a Bohr atom in a weak magnetic field". I've looked in my coursebook but I can't find anything useful. Can anyone help me?
  13. E

    Reaction steps and Activation Energies

    Homework Statement The overall activation energy E is 60 kcal/mol. Reaction steps are: CH3CHO --> .5CH3CO + .5CH3 + .5H2 E1 = 80 kcal/mol CH3CO --> CH3 + CO E2 = ? CH3 + CH3CHO --> CH4 + CH3CO E3 = 10 kcal/mol CH3 + CH3CO --> minor products...
  14. A

    Can we accelerate particles to arbitrarily high energies?

    Is it possible in principle to accelerate particles to arbitrarily high energies? Suppose technology is no bar and there is sufficient money to build accelerators. Can we accelerate particles beyond say Planck energy? or is there is some limit? For example from special relativity we know that to...
  15. N

    Electron in a well: energies are quantized or not?

    hi, I'm new on this forum, and I don't know english very well (sorry). maybe you can clarify me about this doubt. an electron in a well with infinite walls has a discrete set of energies, right? but if the length of the well is infinite, what can I say about energy state density? is it uniform...
  16. B

    Why Does Calculating Nuclear Binding Energy Result in Negative Q-Values?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Given in the question The Attempt at a Solution Using the numbers and equation given in the question, I got a binding energy of Thorium of 1743.64MeV, and a binding energy of Radon (?) of 1720.88MeV I've come across a number of this style...
  17. B

    Maxwell distribution of kinetic energies

    Given that the average kinetic energy for molecules of an ideal gas is <E>=3/2kT, how can one find the percentage of molecules of the gas that contain energy above this value?
  18. arivero

    Is it possible to derive E=h f from E=h \nu in the theory of light quanta?

    If one reads the current version of the wikipedia entry on Photoelectric_effect we see that historically the postulate E=h f predates the relativistic theory. So it is kind of circular to argue in terms of E=h \nu to justify E=h f. The empirical process first postulated E=h f for the black...
  19. E

    Spin States in a Magnetic Field

    [SOLVED] energies of spin states Homework Statement An electron is in a constant magnetic field with magnitude B_0, aligned in the -z direction. My book says without explanation: "the spin-up state has energy -\mu_B B_0" where \mu_B is the Bohr magneton I looked back in the Spin...
  20. E

    What is the ratio of energies in a hydrogen atom and how can it be calculated?

    [SOLVED] Energies of a Hydrogen Atom 1. I have a question on the ratio of energies of an electron in a hydrogen atom. It seems quite simple, but yet seem to be struggling...can anyone help? 2. The question is: "calculate the most probable value of the electron-orbit radius, r, and the ratio of...
  21. H

    Investigating Equal Energies in a Plasma of 3 Populations

    Hi, Let's consider a plasma of 3 distinct populations : 1 cold proton population of 0.2 density, 1 hot proton population of 0.8 density, and one electron population. I have T_i=T_e and I set the velocity of my cold population to 0. I expected that te energy of my hot proton population to...
  22. B

    Spring and Gravity Potential Energies

    Homework Statement A 2-kg block is dropped from a height of 0.4 m onto a spring force whose constant k is 1960 N/m. Find the maximum distance the spring will be compressed. Homework Equations U1+K1=U2+K2 The Attempt at a Solution both the initial and final kinetic energy should be...
  23. T

    Gamma energies from fast neutron activation.

    I've looked around and not found any good sources on the gamma energies from fast neutron activation. I need to find the characteristic gamma rays for an MCNP project and currently, I'm relying on energies I get from running some simple cases I set up for the element of interest. Does anyone...
  24. Y

    Energy Conservation and Kinetic, Wind Energies

    1. Jane, whose mass is 49.0 kg, needs to swing across a river filled with man-eating crocodiles in order to rescue Tarzan, whose mass is 80.0 kg. However, she must swing into a constant horizontal wind force F on a vine that is initially at an angle of with the vertical. (See Fig. P5.73.) In the...
  25. N

    Comparing K-Characteristic X-Ray Energies of Carbon & Magnesium

    Homework Statement Find the ratio of the energies of the K characteristic x rays of carbon to those of Magnesium. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I did it using Bohr's expression of energy...Is there any other method to do it?
  26. U

    Finding Kinetic Energy of an Electron in a Hydrogen Atom and a Cathode Ray Tube

    Homework Statement Find the kinetic energy of an electron in the lowest allowed energy state of a hydrogen atom. Homework Equations E = \frac{mv^2}{2} = \frac{mq^4}{2(4\pi\epsilon_0)^2n^2\hbar^2} The Attempt at a Solution m = 9.11* 10^(-31) kg q = 1.6 * 10^(-19) C pi = 3.14 n = 1 hbar =...
  27. E

    How Does Inclination and Friction Affect Work and Energy on a Microwave Oven?

    Homework Statement A 12.0kg microwave oven is pushed 14.0m up the sloping surface of a loading ramp inclined at an angle 37 degrees above the horizontal, by a constant force F with a magnitude of 120N and acting parallel to the ramp. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the oven and the...
  28. D

    Solving 1D Schrodinger Eq. for Energies < V0

    For the well shown below (Attachment or Link belew) solve the time independent one dimensional Schrodinger equation for energies less than V0. You may (and should) leave your answer in terms of a single transcendental equation for the allowed wave numbers. \frac{-\hbar^2}{2m} ...
  29. S

    Hamiltonian Symmetry: Implications for Negative Energies and Potential

    Hi, let be a Hamiltonian so its energies satisfy E(n)=-E(-n) for every n >0 then my question is does this imply certain symmetry of potential ?? i believe that V(x)=-V(-x) so in absolute value positive and negative energies have the same value.
  30. M

    What are the allowed energies for a quantum harmonic oscillator?

    Hi all I was just looking through my notes from my first year of my degree, and I couldn't find a missing bit. I know that Planck's postulate states that the allowed energies of a quantum simple harmonic oscillator are 0, hf, 2hf etc and that by the Schroedinger equation, you get E(n)=(n+1/2)...
  31. B

    Calculating Neutron B's Energy in Neutron A's Rest Frame | Relativistic Energies

    Homework Statement Two neutrons A and B are approaching each other along a common straight line. Each has a constant velocity v as measured in the laboratory. Show that the total energy of neutron B as observed in the rest frame of neutron A is given by...
  32. P

    Max Entropy & Low Energies: 10 He Atoms

    Homework Statement Consider 10 He atoms as a system Thermodynamically, the state of maximum entropy hence the most likely macrostate for the system is 5 He to be excited and 5 in the ground state. But lower energies are more favourable so there should be more probability for the He to be in...
  33. L

    Binding Energy of Helium-4's Nucleus

    Edit: I believe this might be in the wrong forum, if it is I am sorry I don't know how to delete or move :( Hey guys quick question! I am studying basic radioactivity just for fun and ran into something that my text doesn't elaborate on. Could someone please clarify? The mass of...
  34. K

    Zero Hamiltonian and its energies

    Let's suppose we have a Hamiltonian of the form: \bold H =0 then it's obivious that if you want to get its energies you would get E_{n}=0 for every n, this is a non-sense since you must have positive energies (and a ground state) ...then if we "cheat" :rolleyes: and make: \bold H...
  35. K

    Quantum Energies of GR: Applying Bohr-Sommerfeld

    If we apply the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization to GR (semiclassical) \oint_{S} \pi _{ab} dg_{ab}=\hbar (n+1/2) :confused: :confused: In this case if "Energies" (or whatever you call energy since in Quantum GR H=0 for the "Hamiltonian constraint" ) then using Einstein equation we see that...
  36. K

    Can the WKB Approach Predict Quantum Gravity Energies?

    If we have a 1-dimensional problem so for big n "Energies" can be found in the form: 2 \int_{a}^{b}dx \sqrt (E_{n} - V(x) ) = (n+1/2) \hbar where "a" and "b" are the turning points, then could we writte the equation for energies (where a>c>b using Mean-value theorem for integrals )...
  37. MathematicalPhysicist

    A question regarding a spring and perhaps even energies.

    a block is acted on by a spring with a constant k and a weak force of constant magnitude f. the block is pulled distance x0 from equilbrium and released. it oscillates many times and eventually comes to rest.(the block mass is M). 1)show that the decrease of amplitude is the same for each cycle...
  38. M

    Kinteic Energies of particles hitting the walls of a container

    I was wondering whether anyone was able to give me a hint on the following problem: Is the average kinetic energy of all particles in a gas hitting the sides of a container less, equal or more than 3/2kT? And if it is not equal how can you calculate the mean kinetic energy? I was...
  39. F

    Bond Dissociation Energies (BDE) help, please

    Well, I'm working on a lab report for my general chemistry class, and we're supposed to answer questions on bond dissociation energies, but we never even discussed that during the lecture. I cannot find any information on it in my textbook, and I am really lost on how to answer these questions...
  40. L

    Harmonic Oscillator kinetic and potential energies

    A simple harmonic oscillator has a total energy of E. (a) Determine the kinetic and potential energies when the displacement is three-fourths the amplitude. (Give your answer in terms of total energy E of the oscillator.) Kinetic energy ______________ x E <----(times E) Potential energy...
  41. I

    Why the energy eigen values for negative energies are always discrete

    Why the energy eigen values for negetive energies are always discrete while that for positive energies are always continuous? Also what is oscillation theorem?
  42. P

    Excite Rotational & Vibrational Energies Simultaneously

    Rotational energies are in microwave region and vibrational are in infrered region, then how can the both be excited symultaneously? To excite vibrations we need infrared radiation then how can rotations be excited which are in microwave region?
  43. P

    Orbital properties and electron energies?

    hey where r my recent posts on orbital properties and electron energies?
  44. G01

    Initial and Final Thermal Energies of a Gas

    A 100cm^3 box (1X10^-4 m^3) contains helium at a pressure of 2.0 atm and at a temperature of 100C (373K) It is placed in thermal contact with a 200cm^3 (2x10^-4 m^3) box containing argon at a pressure of 4.0atm and a temp. of 400C (673K) a) What is the initial thermal energy of each gas? b)...
  45. G01

    Orbital Energies And Force Perpendicular to Motion

    Hi. I'm having some trouble trying to grasp a concept. I know that mathmatically Force perpendicular to motion is zero work. I can't seem to grasp this conceptually. First It seems That is an object is moving right and a force acts straight up on it, it will cause the object to move in a...
  46. E

    Can a complex potential have real energies?

    Let be the Hamiltonian: H=T+V where V(x)=A(x)+iB(x) then my question is if the Hamiltonian will have real energies..if we apply Ehrenfrest,s theorem for B: i\hbar{\frac{d<B>}{dt}}=<[B,H]> then if B is a function of x and x and p do not commute the derivative of <B> can not be zero...
  47. E

    Can the Energy for Non-Integer Values be Modeled in a Quantum System?

    Let,s suppose we have a qunatum system so the energies are the roots of the function f(x)=0..then my question is that we could calculate the roots to obtain E(0),E(1),E(2),...but the problem comes when we have the integral.. \int_0^{\infty}E(n)dn my question is if for this case we could...
  48. F

    Calculating Kinetic & Potential Energies of Earth at Perihelion/Aphelion

    How do you calculate the kinetic and potential energies of the Earth at the perihelion and aphelion? Given that the Earth's orbit is nearly circular GMm/R^2 = m(v^2)/R where M = sun's mass, m = Earth's R = orbital radius so v = √(GM/R) The kinetic energy, E, would be E =...
  49. 9

    First Ionization Energies & Metallic/Non-Metallic Properties

    got a homework problem... What is the relationship between first ionization energies and metallic and non-metallic properties? no idea what they are talking about here.
  50. Pengwuino

    Find Moment of Inertia with Rotational Spectrum Wavelengths

    Ok so i have 5 wavelengths of the rotational spectrum of a certain molecule. I need to find the moment of inertia. I have the equation down to I=(Hbar * wavelength)/(hc) Do i just use the shortest wavelength to figure out the moment of intertia? No radius was given.
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