Earth as an energy source & sink

[dsky]

dear Physicists

An important thing that I had to clear my mind of is that of the energy
balance here on Earth itself, so my question is :

1. Is it correct to generalize that KE, NucE, Heat that drives the
plant came from the Earth ( as an E source) and that its final form
elctrical E can be discharge directly to Earth or soil ( assuming no
load ) as part of the energy balance law ( Earth as an E sink).

Some say that Earth abosorbs electrons from space, if this true, then
it can be said the same for electrons coming from power lines short
circuiting to the Earth or that of lightning.

from there I can make another conclusion that :

2. The Earth is a big neutrally charged capacitor that electricity
coming to it one point will be counter acted or neutralized (
dissipated at that point)
but by law of E conserv. It will "discharge" electrons to the
distant plant, increasing currents inside the generator coils creating
counter magnetic fields forcing opposite torque to shaft.

Here it can be seen that the Earth is sending energy which transforms
into different forms: recoverable - EME, KE and unrecoverable -Heat

 

[Ricardhheitman]

Very interesting , I sure hope someone replies

Also , if the Earth's core is iron , and it is rotating inside the Earth's magnetic field , why isn't EMF created and where does it go if it is?

I suppose the lines of force may be rotating also so there is no work done with respect to the rotating core

 

[sir-pinski]

,
soil E.

Dear physicist,

Thank you for your interesting question about the Earth as an energy source and sink. The answer to your question is not a simple yes or no, as the Earth's role as an energy source and sink is complex and multifaceted. Let's break down the different components and forms of energy involved.

Firstly, it is correct to say that the Earth is an energy source in the sense that it provides the initial energy for many processes on our planet. For example, the Earth's rotation and gravitational pull provide kinetic energy for wind and ocean currents, which are important sources of renewable energy. The Earth's internal heat also drives processes such as plate tectonics and volcanic activity, which can be harnessed for geothermal energy.

However, it is not accurate to say that all forms of energy on Earth originate from the Earth itself. The Sun is actually the ultimate source of most of the energy on our planet. Solar radiation provides the energy for photosynthesis, which fuels the growth of plants and the production of biomass. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, were also formed from ancient organisms that captured solar energy through photosynthesis.

In terms of electricity, the Earth does act as a sink for electrical energy. This is because the Earth's surface is a good conductor of electricity, so any excess electrons will flow into the ground and be neutralized. This is why it is important to have proper grounding systems in electrical installations to prevent the buildup of dangerous electrical charges.

It is true that the Earth absorbs electrons from space, as it is constantly bombarded by high-energy particles from the solar wind and cosmic rays. This process is known as ionization and it is an important part of our atmosphere's composition. However, the amount of energy gained from this process is very small compared to the energy received from the Sun.

As for your second question, it is not accurate to say that the Earth acts as a neutralizing capacitor for electricity coming from power lines or lightning strikes. While the Earth can absorb and dissipate excess electrical charges, it does not act as a capacitor in the traditional sense, as it does not store electrical energy.

In summary, the Earth plays a crucial role as an energy source and sink in various forms, but it is not the sole source of energy on our planet. The Sun is the ultimate source of most of the energy on Earth and the Earth itself acts as a conductor and neutralizer for electrical