Chemical Energy Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Chemical Energy?
Chemical energy is a form of energy stored in the bonds between atoms or molecules. It is released when those bonds are broken and can be used to do several types of work, including powering vehicles, providing heat for homes and cooking food. Chemical energy can also be converted into other forms such as electrical energy, mechanical energy and thermal energy.One example of chemical energy in use is the combustion engine found in most cars today. A fuel such as gasoline or diesel is combusted inside the engine’s cylinders which produces hot expanding gases that drive pistons up and down to turn the wheels. This process requires a chemical reaction to occur where oxygen reacts with carbon molecules within the fuel to produce carbon dioxide, water vapor and heat. The heat produced increases pressure inside the cylinder which forces its piston down creating rotary motion that turns an axle connected to another axle spinning wheels on a car. Therefore chemical energy from burning gasoline helps provide power for transportation needs around the world everyday. Another example of chemical energy being utilized is in heating homes during winter months using natural gas furnaces that burn methane gas releasing large amounts of heat keeping homes warm during cold temperatures outside. The same type of chemistry occurs here when oxygen undergoes combustion with hydrocarbons like methane producing carbon dioxide and water vapor along with lots of thermal radiation (heat) which warms up your home making it comfortable for people living there throughout winter season.. In conclusion, chemical energies are essential sources of power used every single day all over planet earth helping satisfy our various needs involving transportation, cooking & heating activities at home or outdoors.