INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY & SOCIETY

If it weren`t for electricity we`d all be watching television by candlelight.

__ George Gobal
IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY IN OUR DAILY LIFE
Consider the beginning of a typical day. As we get out of bed, were probably concerned with
whether we feel warm enough, with turning on lights so we can see, and with cooking something
for breakfast.
All of these activities depend on energy. Many of us live in homes with electric heating; if not,
natural gas or heating oil arc other popular choices. We rely on electricity for lighting. Most of us
would use electric stoves or electric microwave ovens for cooking; the rest of us probably rely on
gas stoves. Energy is the central topic of this course.

Of course, cooking breakfast means that we have to have something to cook. Not many of us
these days subsist entirely on what we can raise or catch ourselves. Having food available first
requires planting, cultivating, and harvesting on farms. Most farmers use a variety of agricultural
machinery that operates with gasoline or diesel fuel. The harvested food has to be transported to
plants where it is processed or prepared and then packaged. Then the packaged food is
transported to warehouses and stores for sale to us, the consumers. Transportation from farm to
processing plant, and from processing plant to stores will use gasoline or diesel fuel. Various
kinds of energy might be used in the processing of foods, including electricity, natural gas, and
heating oil.
As we get dressed and begin to go about our daily routine, we depend on a huge variety of
manufactured articles. Very, very few of us weave our own doth, turn logs into boards to make
wooden articles, or make any of the other items we use throughout the day. Manufacturing
begins with the production of raw materials, such as making metals from their ores. Many kinds
of energy might be used in such operations, including electricity, heating oil, or coal. Then the

raw materials have to be fabricated into useful articles. Fabrication might include molding
casting, machining, or weaving (as but a few examples). Many of these operations use
electrically powered machinery, and coal, heating oil or natural gas as heat sources. The
manufactured
articles
then
have
to
be
transported
to
stores.
Then on most days we must get ourselves out and around. If we walk or bicycle, we use energy
from our own muscles for transportation. Cars or light trucks have gasoline engines or possibly
small engines that use diesel fuel. Electric cars, or hybrid electric/gasoline cars are coming onto
the market too. If we take the bus, we are probably relying on diesel fuel or natural gas. Trains
may have diesel locomotives or operate using electricity. Small airplanes may use gasoline as
fuel; others use jet fuel. Our manufacturing and transportation, in addition to the many uses of
energy in the home for warmth, cooking and lighting, together consume prodigious quantities of
energy (Figure 1.1). The key idea that should come from thinking about how we get through the
day is this:
ENERGY IS UBIQUITOUS IN OUR LIVES AND, IN FACT, IS SO COMMON THAT WE
SELDOM EVEN THINK ABOUT IT

Fig.1 Energy usage in a busy city

For most of us its likely that we rely most often on two kinds of energy electricity and gasoline.
We surround ourselves with electrical appliances and gadgets. Most of us own a majority of the
items on this list: television set, microwave oven, stereo system, personal computer, electric
razor, hair dryer, refrigerator, lamps for reading or study, coffee maker, electric clock, electric
pencil sharpener, electric tooth brush, power tools, and radio. In the kitchen, for example, most
people now expect to find a stove, a refrigerator, and, often, a dishwasher and a microwave oven.
What else can we find in the modern kitchen? A coffee maker, an espresso machine, an electric
can opener, a pasta maker, a bread maker, a crock pot, an electric carving knife, a toaster or
toaster oven (or both), and a blender or food processor. If theres a problem, its how to find
counter space to use all this stuff or some place to store it, not whether or not there will be
enough electricity to operate these gadgets.
The idea of even asking whether there would be enough electricity to operate a gadget were
buying when we got it home might sound silly. Almost invariably we simply assume that we can
purchase and plug in a limitless number of electrically operated items. (Admittedly, there are
occasional exceptions, particularly with large electrical appliances such as clothes dryers or
electric stoves, or possibly with some hobby items such as electrically operated machinery for a
home workshop.) Usually, if we think of any limit at all, its that we are limited by the number of
electric outlets we have available for plugging items into. We can even solve that problem if we
remember to buy some cube taps (that let us plug three items into a single outlet) or outlet strips
(that provide five or more electrical outlets from an original single outlet). Though its very
unwise and perhaps even illegal in some localities, some of us probably even plug cube taps into
outlet strips, or connect two or more outlet strips together.
Our assumption about the eternal availability of essentially unlimited quantities of electricity is
tested when there is a power failure. When the electricity supply suddenly fails, we might have a
momentary bit of panic until we assure ourselves that were OK, but then many of us react to a
power failure with a feeling of annoyance or anger. We were watching that TV show, or cooking
that meal, or reading that book feeling that we could do those sorts of things as much as we
wanted,
any
time
we
wanted,
and
now, suddenly
no
electricity.
Its sometimes helpful to remember that not everyone in the world gets to enjoy a lifestyle based
on assumptions we take for granted. There are places in the world where, if electricity is
available at all, it is only on for a certain period each day. In some places the use of electricity
has been strictly rationed. In other places, electricity does not exist at all, for instance, in rural
regions of many of the impoverished nations in Africa and Asia.
Another way of illustrating our dependence on energy is to consider it from the other
perspective: how we would live if electricity and fuels (especially petroleum products and
natural gas) were not available any more.

 What would we eat? Probably the best we could do would be foods raised by ourselves or
foraged in the woods. Many people living in large cities would probably starve.
How would we get around? We could use horses, if we had them. We could ride bicycles, until
they broke or wore out. Most of us would be confined to an area that would be accessible by
walking. Perhaps if we were lucky enough to live near the coast or near a navigable river, we
could travel by boatone that we paddled or rowed, or that used the energy of the wind to sail,
or a steamboat that used wood as fuel.
How would we stay warm? We could use firewood, if we had access to it and for as long as the
wood lasted. A few clever persons might rig up solar energy collectors, or figure out how to use
windmills
or
water
wheels
to
operate
electrical
generators.
What would we use in our daily lives? When our clothes, tools, and utensils broke or wore out,
we would have no replacements, except for things that could be made of wood (assuming we
hadnt
burned
it
to
stay
warm),
or
wool
or
cotton
doth.
How would we regulate our days? Most of us would rise at dawn and go to bed at dark, because
there would be little artificial light other than fires.
In essence, the vast majority of peopleespecially city dwellerswould quickly freeze and
starve in the dark. Of the survivors, most would be reduced to a fairly brutish existence not
unlike that experienced by the poor during medieval times. A very few, those who were
competent at subsistence farming and at manufacturing or repairing of small tools and machinery
(the Amish, for example), might 4make it.
ENERGY AND ITS FORMS
In our daily lives, we come across energy in various forms. When we lift a load or run along the
road, we use muscular energy. The fan or tube-light in your home consume electrical energy. We
directly get the energy from the Sun in the form of light and heat. When crackers are burst during
Diwali, we receive tremendous amount of sound energy. We use chemical energy (LPG gas) for
cooking, running vehicles (petrol or diesel), etc.
The common forms of energy we come across are as fallows:
Energy: A body which is capable of doing work possesses energy. Thus energy is the ability or
the capacity to do work.
Unit of energy: The unit of energy is the same as that of work. Thus S.I. unit of energy is joule
(J) and its C.G.S. unit is erg
Energy appears in various forms namely, heat, light, sound, electricity etc.
Heat energy: It is the energy which causes a sensation of hotness or coldness.

Example: Energy obtained by burning wood. Heat energy is measured in calories or kilo calories.
Electrical energy: Energy possessed by an electron in motion is referred to as electrical energy.
Units of electrical energy: Watt hour (W h)
It is the electric energy, and is usually expressed as watt-hour (W h)
I W h = 1 watt x 1 hour =

1J
1 S x3600s

Thus, I W h=3600J
Kilowatt hour is a multiple of W h and is a bigger unit of energy.
1 kilo watt hour = 103 watt hour

= 3600 x 103J = 3.6MJ

Light energy: It is the energy possessed by a luminous source which causes sensation of sight.
Example: Light energy emitted by sun.
Sound energy: It is the energy possessed by vibrating bodies which produces sensation of
hearing.
Example: The ringing of a bell.
Magnetic energy: Energy possessed by a magnet is called magnetic energy.
Chemical energy: Energy released or absorbed by atoms or molecules during chemical reaction
is called chemical energy.
Example: Energy released during combustion of a fuel like LPG.
Nuclear energy: Energy released during fission or fusion of nucleus is called nuclear energy.
Example: Atom bomb and hydrogen bomb release energy in the form of heat and radiation
Nuclear energy is used in nuclear reactor to generate electric power.

Mechanical energy: Energy possessed by a body due to its position or motion is known as
mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is classified into potential energy and kinetic energy.
Potential energy: It is the energy possessed by a body in a stored form.
Example: Wound spring of a clock possesses potential energy. When the spring unwinds, it uses
this energy for the movement or rotation of the hands of the clock. This potential energy
possessed by the spring is called elastic potential energy. Stretched bow, stretched elastic band
and compressed gas molecules possess elastic potential energy.
Kinetic energy: Energy possessed by a traveling particle is called kinetic energy.
Example: Wind possesses kinetic energy and this energy is used to rotate the blades of a wind
mill. For a body of mass m and velocity v, kinetic energy is defined as KE = 1/2mv2.
Kinetic energy of a body increases, with velocity or speed of the body increases. To increase the
kinetic energy of a body, net force has to be applied. Thus the work done by this force is equal to
the change in the kinetic energy of the body. This is known as work-energy theorem.
INTER-CONVERSION OF ENERGY IN DIFFERENT FORMS
Though energy is available in different forms, energy in one form can be converted into energy
in another form. We use diesel or petrol to run our vehicles or trains. Diesel is used to run water
pumps and many other appliances. These are examples of conversion of chemical energy to
mechanical energy. Electrical energy is converted into heat energy in heaters; into light energy in
glowing of electric bulb; into mechanical energy in electric trains, electric motor, electric fan,
etc. A vibrating body produces sound. Here mechanical energy is converted into sound energy.
Coal when burnt produces heat an example of conversion of chemical energy into heat energy.
When you rub your palms with each other, heat is generated, so mechanical energy is converted
into heat energy. We can cite many such examples of inter-conversion of energy from one form
into another form of energy.
Sun The ultimate source of energy:
Our Earth receives all its energy needs from the Sundirectly or
indirectly. It primarily comes in the form of heat and light. A part of the energy emitted by the
Sunthe solar energy is reflected back or absorbed by the intervening medium between the Sun
and the Earth. But a large part of the solar energy reaches the Earth and is absorbed by the land
and the sea during the day-time.

Fig 1.2: Sun-Ultimate energy source

The heat energy of the Sun causes water to evaporate from water bodies, that is, ocean, sea, river,
ponds, etc. The evaporated water helps in cloud formation and returns the water to the Earth in
the form of rain. The water in the river flows and boats can be plied along it. This results in
generation of mechanical energy. Dams are constructed over the river to store water and convert
the energy of naturally flowing water results in generation of mechanical energy. Dams are
constructed over the river to store water and convert the energy of naturally flowing water
(kinetic energy stored in the dams to potential energy and then the potential energy of stored
water) is used to generate electricity. Wind energy is generated for generation of electricity in the
wind mills. The energy of wind is also derived from the Sun. The solar energy (heat energy)
absorbed by the land mass and water-bodies on the surface of the earth raises the temperature of
air nearer the earth. Unequal rate of heating and cooling of land- mass and water -bodies results
in moving air or wind, especially near the coast. Thus, the energy of wind is indirectly derived
from the Sun.

Fig 1.3: Sun as an Ultimate Energy Source

Green plants absorb the light energy of the Sun for photosynthesis and store food in the form of
chemical energy. This stored energy in plants is used by humans and other animals in the form of

food. Dried plants (wood) are burnt to produce heat energy. The plants and animals buried
underground millions of years ago have been converted into coal and petroleum under the action
of the Sun. Thus, chemical energy is stored in the form of coal and petroleum. Thus, solar energy
is converted into chemical energy which in turn can be converted into various types of energy.
When coal is burnt, chemical energy is converted into heat. Thus, the Suns energy reaches us
directly or indirectly through a series of conversions to make energy available to us.
Fossil Fuels:
Heat is probably the most important and useful form of energy in our life. In ancient times, wood
was the most common source of heat energy. The use of coal as a source of energy, made
possible the industrial growth. The growing demand of energy in the industrial and transport
sector was largely met by coal, petroleum and natural gas. This group of fuels is called fossil
fuels. Why do we call them so? These fuels are the remnants or fossils of animals and plants
buried under the Earth over millions of years. The temperature and pressure inside the earth
slowly converts the buried plants into coal and buried sea animals into petroleum and natural gas.

Fig 1.4: Fossil Fuels

Coal is extracted by digging mines. Petroleum and natural gas are found mostly in sedimentary
rocks, they are obtained by drilling through the rocks. The petroleum extracted is known as
crude oil and is carried to the refineries for production of different products like kerosene,
petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) etc. by fractional distillation.
We are all familiar with cooking gas supplied to us through LPG cylinder and natural gas that is
used for generation of electricity and running of automobiles. Today, fossil fuels are the most
important sources of energy. They are concentrated sources of energy used for both domestic and
industrial purposes. The thermal power stations use coal, fuel oil or natural gas to generate
electricity.

Electricity is the Most Popular Form of Energy:

Fig 1.5: The vital Electric Energy

Electricity has become an integral part of all our activities. We cannot manage without light, fan,
geysers grinder, refrigerator, washing machine, TV, water pump, air conditioner and many such
devices that run on electricity Industries will come to standstill, trains will stop on the track, and
communications will cease if electricity is not available. But electricity is not available in this
form. Energy from some other sources are converted into electricity. The major methods of
generation of electricity are in
1. Thermal power stations
2. Hydroelectric power stations

Fig 1.6: A thermal power plant (VTPS-Vijayawada)

Besides, substantial amount of power is generated nuclear power stations. In addition, though in
a small scale wind energy, solar energy, tidal energy, and geothermal energy are also used for
generation of electricity.
The common feature in all these power generators except the solar and biomassis a rotating
turbine in a strong magnetic field. Rotating turbine rotates the armature and electricity is
generated. In different types of generators, the energy necessary for rotating the turbine is
provided by different means. Let us analyze each case separately.
DIFFERENT SOURCES OF ENERGY
We have discussed earlier that the fossil fuels which took millions of years to form will last for a
limited time. There is no new addition. So once these sources of energy are used up, they will not
be available again. Such sources whose diminishing stock cannot be replenished is called nonrenewable source of energy. Fossil fuels are non-renewable source of energy.
But there are some sources of energy which are not exhausted they are continually
replenished through a number of natural processes. Such sources are called renewable sources of
energy. These types of sources include the solar energy, the wind energy, the energy due to
flowing river (hydropower), tidal energy, ocean thermal energy, wave energy, biomass energy
and geothermal energy. Nuclear energy can be included in this category because we can depend
on this source for very long time.