- #1
Vernewells
- 4
- 0
Hi, I’m currently doing research for a science fiction story and was wondering if anyone would be interested in helping me out.
I’m trying to understand the various applications of different forms of energy. More specifically, here is what I want to know: If someone was equipped with a machine that could directly manipulate various forms of energy to produce work at different levels, what would be the limits of such manipulations (eg: using thermal energy can cause objects to combust, but cannot create fire out of thin air as far as I know). However, before trying to get this particular question answered, I need help identifying which forms of energy can be manipulated in order to affect the environment.
From what I understand, there are 7 to 9 primary forms of energy: Mechanical (often broken down into different parts), Thermal, Radiant, Nuclear, Sound, Magnetic, Electric, Luminous and MASS. Some of these consist of potential energy (nuclear), some kinetic (thermal), and others can manifest both states (mechanic).
Unless I’m mistaken, potential forms of energy cannot be used directly to affect the environment, they must be converted into kinetic forms of energy (eg: splitting atoms leads to the conversion of nuclear energy into a wide variety of different forms of kinetic energy). Therefore, a mechanism that would permit one to manipulate energy would not be able to directly use potential energy to affect things. If one would wish to cause an object to combust, it would require either the use of radiant or thermal energy (the power of which could be taken from potential energies or from already present kinetic energies).
If the above statement is correct, it would mean that my research will have to focus on the manipulation of kinetic states of energy.
What I wish to ask is what are the different forms of energy (did I list the right ones) and which ones can be directly used to do work? I apologize in advance if my inquiry appears superfluous and overtly basic. Despite having studied physics in college, none of my professors ever ended up discussing energy forms as such (the fact I only took two courses probably didn’t help). I’ll try to make my next topic more complex and engaging .
Once I get this answered, I’ll open up a second discussion specifically aimed at answering my initial question: What are the limitations of manipulating various forms of energy?
Thanks for your time,
Vernewells
I’m trying to understand the various applications of different forms of energy. More specifically, here is what I want to know: If someone was equipped with a machine that could directly manipulate various forms of energy to produce work at different levels, what would be the limits of such manipulations (eg: using thermal energy can cause objects to combust, but cannot create fire out of thin air as far as I know). However, before trying to get this particular question answered, I need help identifying which forms of energy can be manipulated in order to affect the environment.
From what I understand, there are 7 to 9 primary forms of energy: Mechanical (often broken down into different parts), Thermal, Radiant, Nuclear, Sound, Magnetic, Electric, Luminous and MASS. Some of these consist of potential energy (nuclear), some kinetic (thermal), and others can manifest both states (mechanic).
Unless I’m mistaken, potential forms of energy cannot be used directly to affect the environment, they must be converted into kinetic forms of energy (eg: splitting atoms leads to the conversion of nuclear energy into a wide variety of different forms of kinetic energy). Therefore, a mechanism that would permit one to manipulate energy would not be able to directly use potential energy to affect things. If one would wish to cause an object to combust, it would require either the use of radiant or thermal energy (the power of which could be taken from potential energies or from already present kinetic energies).
If the above statement is correct, it would mean that my research will have to focus on the manipulation of kinetic states of energy.
What I wish to ask is what are the different forms of energy (did I list the right ones) and which ones can be directly used to do work? I apologize in advance if my inquiry appears superfluous and overtly basic. Despite having studied physics in college, none of my professors ever ended up discussing energy forms as such (the fact I only took two courses probably didn’t help). I’ll try to make my next topic more complex and engaging .
Once I get this answered, I’ll open up a second discussion specifically aimed at answering my initial question: What are the limitations of manipulating various forms of energy?
Thanks for your time,
Vernewells