Energy is one of the central concepts in physics that explains various natural phenomena. Namely, scientists define energy as “the ability to do work” because entities require it to conduct activities (Timberlake, 2016, p. 69). There are multiple forms of energy, including kinetic, potential, electric, and other energy types (Timberlake, 2016). For instance, potential energy derives from the internal characteristics of an object, while kinetic energy emerges due to the motion of objects (Timberlake, 2016). When a person ingests food (that holds potential energy), they receive kinetic energy, which enables them to do work. This process is called energy conversion, and it is one of the most important concepts in understanding energy.
An example of energy conversion in daily activities is the shift from electric energy to heat (thermal energy) in electric heaters. There are many types of heaters, but the primary principle of operation is the same. Special mechanisms, such as electric resistors, receive electric currents and transform them into heat energy (“How do electric heaters work,” 2021). The charged particles emerge from sources, such as wall outlets, that store potential electric energy for its consequent distribution among various devices. This principle is used not only in electric heaters but also in cooking utensils and other products that require heat to operate (“How do electric heaters work,” 2021). When the electric currents reach specific mechanisms in the devices, the process of electrical resistance occurs, producing heat. Consequently, this heat is transported to the device’s core, which decides how much of this energy should be released outside the electric heater. Ultimately, it is a relatively simple process of energy conversion that makes electric heaters execute their primary functions and produce heat.
References
How do electric heaters work? (2021). Rio Heating. Web.
Timberlake, K. C. (2016). Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry (12th ed.). Pearson Learning Solutions.