Energy Storage in Fundamental Forces

[johnacord]

Does all energy storage occur in fundamental forces or bonds? I believe that a rubber band stores energy in the electrical bonds between the molecules. Same with a spring. In the atom, energy is stored and released from the electrical bonds between electrons and the nucleus during photon absorption and emission. In nuclear reactions, energy is released from the ?strong or ?weak nuclear forces (bonds) that hold the protons together. In gravitational potential, energy is stored in and/or released from the gravitational force or bond during pushing the wagon up the hill and letting it coast down. Electro-magnetic energy must be stored in the Electric force. A magnetic field must also store and release energy in some way, probably in an electric motor or a transformer core. Energy storage as heat in a substance is stored in ?What bond? I don't know, maybe the electric field. Energy stored as mass (according to e=mc2; think electron-positron annihilation) is stored in what bond or fundamental force? Is there some fundamental force keeping all that energy stored in such a small amount of mass? Just thinking out of the box here people, can someone tell me the answer? thanks, -John

 

[AndyW]

Dear John,

Thank you for your interesting question about energy storage. I can confirm that energy can indeed be stored in different forms, including in fundamental forces and bonds.

In the case of a rubber band or spring, the energy is stored in the bonds between the molecules. When the band or spring is stretched or compressed, the molecules are pushed closer together or pulled further apart, creating potential energy in the bonds. This potential energy is then released when the band or spring returns to its original shape.

In atoms, energy is stored and released through the absorption and emission of photons, which are particles of electromagnetic energy. This energy is stored in the bonds between electrons and the nucleus, specifically in the form of electromagnetic force.

In nuclear reactions, such as fusion or fission, energy is released from the strong or weak nuclear forces that hold the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus. These forces are responsible for the stability of the nucleus and can release large amounts of energy when they are broken or formed.

Gravitational potential energy is stored in the gravitational force between objects. As you mentioned, when pushing a wagon up a hill, energy is stored in the gravitational force as the wagon gains height. This energy is then released when the wagon rolls down the hill.

Electromagnetic energy can also be stored in the electric and magnetic fields. For example, in an electric motor, energy is stored in the electric field as the motor is powered, and this energy is then converted into mechanical energy to power the motor.

In terms of heat energy, it is stored in the kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. This energy is transferred through collisions between particles and can be released when the substance cools down.

Lastly, according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc², energy can also be stored in mass. This is seen in processes like electron-positron annihilation, where the mass of the particles is converted into pure energy. In this case, the energy is stored in the strong and weak nuclear forces that hold the particles together.

To answer your question about whether there is a fundamental force keeping all this energy stored in a small amount of mass, the answer is yes. The strong and weak nuclear forces are responsible for keeping the particles in an atom or nucleus together, and therefore, they are also responsible for storing the energy in those particles.

I hope this helps answer your question. Keep exploring and thinking out of the box![Your Name