What is Radiant Energy? The Ultimate Learning Guide (2021)

What is Radiant Energy? The Ultimate Learning Guide (2021)

by | Dec 22, 2020 | Energy Module

WHAT IS RADIANT ENERGY?

The Ultimate Learning Guide

written by Stanley Udegbunam || Dec 22, 2020

what is radiant energy

Table of Content

  1. What is Radiant Energy?
  2. Forms of Radiant Energy
  3. How is Radiant Energy Produced?
  4. What is Electromagnetic Spectrum?
  5. Examples of Radiant Energy
  6. Uses of Radiant Energy

AFRILCATE

WHAT IS RADIANT ENERGY?

Radiant energy is the energy of electromagnetic waves.

It can be described in terms of discrete packets of energy, called photons or continuous electromagnetic waves.

Radiant energy is also a type of kinetic energy since it involves the motion of energy in waveform or particle.

FORMS OF RADIANT ENERGY                                                                          

Since radiant energy is energy emitted from electromagnetic radiations, it can take various forms.

It can exist in the form of

  • visible waves -which we call light energy 
  • invisible waves such as micro waves, x-rays or infrared waves.
sunlight - visible light

sunlight – a type of visible light

HOW IS RADIANT ENERGY PRODUCED?

Radiant energy is produced from oscillating charges.

This oscillating motion produces electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to each other.

The electric and magnetic fields are also perpendicular to the direction the wave travels.

Therefore, an electromagnetic wave is a transverse wave.

They are different kinds of electromagnetic waves and all of them have different wavelengths and energies.

The shorter the wavelength, the higher its energy.

Electromagnetic spectrum

electromagnetic spectrum

The radiant energy is stored in the electric and magnetic fields.

HOW DO RADIANT ENERGY TRAVEL?

Radiant energy can travel through any substance and also through space.

It does not need any material medium for its propagation.

Radiant energy propagates outwards from the source and travels at the speed of light.

EXAMPLES OF RADIANT ENERGY

  • Sunlight – the sun is the biggest source of radiant energy.
  • Microwave – utilizes radiant energy to heat up our food.
  • Mobile phones – utilizes radiant energy to function.
  • Infrared radiation
  • X-rays – emits radiant energy
  • Light from bulbs
  • All forms of visible light
  • Heat emitted from a stove or burner
  • Heat from burning wood/campfire
light bulb

light from bulb

USES OF RADIANT ENERGY

Radiant energy is utilized in the medical and telecommunication fields.

It is also harnessed for power production.

Some specific uses of radiant energy include:

  • For Radiant heating
  • As a medium of communication
  • Utilized by plants to produce their food (photosynthesis)
  • For medical treatment and inspection
  • For separation and sorting
  • For solar energy
solar panel systems

solar system

x-ray

x-ray

underfloor heating

underfloor heating

☢️ Radiation Symbol: The Ultimate Guide

☢️ Radiation Symbol: The Ultimate Guide

by | Dec 21, 2020 | Energy Module

RADIATION SYMBOL

The Ultimate Guide

written by Stanley Udegbunam || Dec 21, 2020

symbol of radiation

Table of Content

  1. What is the symbol of radiation?
  2. Evolution of the radiation symbol
  3. Radiation Symbol Design
  4. The Newly Launched Radiation 

AFRILCATE

WHAT IS THE SYMBOL FOR RADIATION?

The symbol for radiation is a three-bladed symbol called the trefoil.

radioactive symbol

The trefoil is an internationally recognized symbol used to indicate the presence of a radioactive source or device, radioactive containers and areas where radioactive materials are stored.

It denotes the need for caution to avoid contamination with undue exposure to atomic radiation.

radiation sign

radiation caution

EVOLUTION OF THE RADIATION SYMBOL

In 1946, the trefoil symbol started as a ‘doodle’ produced by a small group of people at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory, University of California, who were keen to develop a warning symbol for ionizing radiation.

The symbol was chosen because of its simplicity and it represents the radiating activity of an atom.

The trefoil symbol then was a magenta-colored blade on a blue background.

In 1948, Bill Ray and George Warlick at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee conducted some field experiments with the symbol.

They cut out the magenta symbol and stapled them onto cards of different colors.

They placed these cards outside and observed from of distance which of the background color strikes the human consciousness the most.

 From their observation, the magenta on yellow best portrays the idea of danger, and this design was standardized by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (DoE, Tennessee) later in 1948.

By the late 1950’s, this radiation symbol (magenta on yellow) was implemented by the American National Standards Institute and federal regulation.

The design is still used in the U.S. today.

The International version is the black on yellow trefoil although it’s not often used in the united state compared to the magenta on yellow.

radiation trefoil

evolution of radiation symbol

RADIATION SYMBOL DESIGN

The symbol is drawn with a central circle of radius R, an internal blade radius of 1.5R and an external blade radius of 5R.

The blades are separated from each other by 60°.

radioactive symbol design

THE NEWLY LAUNCHED RADIATION SYMBOL

On February 15, 2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) jointly announced the adoption of a new ionizing radiation warning symbol to supplement the traditional trefoil symbol. 

The need for this new symbol aroused from the fact that many people don’t understand the hazard message been passed by the three-cornered trefoil.

The three-cornered trefoil was said to have no intuitive meaning.

Only a few people are aware of its significance.

The new symbol is to be placed on sealed radiation sources.

It is aimed at alerting anyone, anywhere to the potential dangers of being close to a large source of ionizing radiation.

caution radiation sign

Ionizing Radiation Warning – Trefoil Supplementary Symbol, ISO Standard (21482)

The new symbol is not intended to be generally visible, but rather to appear on internal devices that house radiation sources.

It will serve as a warning not to dismantle such a device or get any closer.

This new symbol is explicit in the sense that:

  • The black trefoil with the radiating waves – indicates the presence of radiation.
  • The skull and cross bone on the red background – warns of impending danger.
  • The running person – suggests the immediate action that should be taken to avoid the labeled material or device.

The precision of the details of this new symbol provides a more intuitive depiction of the radiating hazard.

The new radiation symbol is universally understood across varying educational backgrounds and different races.

Kinetic Energy vs Potential Energy: 7 Major Differences

Kinetic Energy vs Potential Energy: 7 Major Differences

by | Dec 18, 2020 | Energy Module

Kinetic Energy vs Potential Energy:

7 Major Differences

written by Stanley Udegbunam || Dec 18, 2020

kinetic vs potential energy

Table of Content

  1. Overview of Kinetic vs Potential Energy
  2. Differences Between Kinetic and Potential Energy
  3. Energy Difference Quiz
  4. Summary

AFRILCATE

OVERVIEW OF KINETIC ENERGY VS POTENTIAL ENERGY

Energy is defined as the ability of a physical system to do work.

There are two primary forms of energy:

  • Kinetic energy and
  • Potential energy

Kinetic energy is associated with motion while potential energy is energy stored in a system.

Using a comparison table, let’s look at a more detailed difference between kinetic and potential energy

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KINETIC ENERGY AND POTENTIAL ENERGY

DIFFERENCESKINETIC ENERGYPOTENTIAL ENERGY
1.ENVIRONMENTAL
RELATIVITY		Kinetic energy of an object is relative to other moving and stationary objects in its immediate environment.Potential energy is not relative to the environment of an object.
2.SPEED DEPENDENCYIt is dependent on the speed of the moving objectHas nothing to do with the speed of the object.
3.HEIGHT DEPENDENCYKinetic energy doesn’t take the height travelled or distance covered into consideration.Potential energy is largely dependent on the vertical height travelled during motion.
4.DEFINITIONThis is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion.This is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position.
5.EQUATIONK.E = 1/2mv2P.E = m × g × h
6.TRANSFERABILITYCan be transferred between objects through collision.Cannot be transferred between objects.
7.COMMON EXAMPLES
a.) Flowing river
b.) Flying bullet
a.) A compressed or stretched spring
b.) An archer's bow with the string pulled back.

slide sideways to see the complete table

DIFFERENCESKINETIC ENERGYPOTENTIAL ENERGY
1.ENVIRONMENTAL
RELATIVITY		Kinetic energy of an object is relative to other moving and stationary objects in its immediate environment.Potential energy is not relative to the environment of an object.
2.SPEED DEPENDENCYIt is dependent on the speed of the moving objectHas nothing to do with the speed of the object.
3.HEIGHT DEPENDENCYKinetic energy doesn’t take the height travelled or distance covered into consideration.Potential energy is largely dependent on the vertical height travelled during motion.
4.DEFINITIONThis is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion.This is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position.
5.EQUATIONK.E = 1/2mv2P.E = m × g × h
6.TRANSFERABILITYCan be transferred between objects through collision.Cannot be transferred between objects.
7.COMMON EXAMPLES
a.) Flowing river
b.) Flying bullet
a.) A compressed or stretched spring
b.) An archer's bow with the string pulled back.
Potential energy in arrow

A drawn arrow possess potential energy.

When the arrow is released, the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

ENERGY DIFFERENCE QUIZ

Let’s see how well you can tell the difference between kinetic and potential energy.

For the examples below, try and identify whether it’s a kinetic energy example or a potential energy example.

Click the “Show  Answer” tab to see if you are correct.

1. Water flowing from a tap

SHOW ANSWER

Kinetic Energy

2. A stationary charged particle in an electric field.

SHOW ANSWER

Potential Energy

3. Two magnetic bars kept apart

SHOW ANSWER

Potential Energy

4. A thrown javelin

SHOW ANSWER

Kinetic Energy

5. Fire works not yet launched

SHOW ANSWER

Potential Energy

potential energy to kinetic energy

The mango hanging from the tree undisturbed possess potential energy.

When hit by a stone this potential energy changes to kinetic energy and the mango falls to the ground.

SUMMARY

Kinetic energy is concerned with motion while potential energy is concerned with object position.

Potential energy is stored energy awaiting release, while kinetic energy indicates energy in motion.

Hence the stored potential energy can be converted to kinetic energy and vice versa.

Energy will still be conserved regardless of the conversion process.

Electricity Storage in 2021 – Everything you need to know

Electricity Storage in 2021 – Everything you need to know

by | Dec 16, 2020 | Energy Module

Electricity Storage:

Everything You Need to Know

written by Stanley Udegbunam || Dec 16, 2020

What is electricity storage

Table of Content

  1. What is Electricity Storage?
  2. Can electricity be stored?
  3. How is electricity stored?
  4. Emerging Technologies in electricity storage

AFRILCATE

WHAT IS ELECTRICITY STORAGE?

Electricity storage is the capture of energy produced at one time for use at a later time.

Electricity becomes more expensive during peak times as power plants have to ramp up production in order to accommodate the increased energy usage.

Electricity storage contributes to meeting electricity demand during peak hours.

CAN ELECTRICITY BE STORED?

Electricity cannot be stored directly, but it can be converted to other forms of energy which can be stored on a long-term or short-term basis and later reconverted to electricity when needed.

Electricity storage on a large scale has become a major focus of attention as intermittent renewable energy are becoming more prevalent.

HOW IS ELECTRICITY STORED?

Energy can be stored in various ways. They include:

  1. Pumped Hydroelectric
  2. Compressed Air
  3. Flywheels
  4. Batteries
  5. Hydrogen
  6. Thermal Energy Storage
  1. Pumped Hydroelectric:

Uses gravitational force to generate electricity. Electricity is used to pump water up to an elevated reservoir.

When water is released from the reservoir, it flows down through a turbine to generate electricity.

In Bath County, Virginia, the largest pumped hydro storage facility in the world supplies energy to about 750,000 homes.

It was built in 1985 and has an output of approximately 3 GW of energy.

  1. Compressed air:

Electricity is used to compress air into an underground hole (up to 1,000 pounds per square inch) and stores it in underground salt caverns.

The is done during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper.

When electricity demand is high, the pressurized air is released and heated and the resulting expansion turns an electricity generator.

  1. Flywheels

Energy is stored in a flywheel by accelerating their spin at a very high speed up to 60,000 rpm.

When needed, the stored kinetic energy moves in reverse and turns a generator.

Some flywheels use magnetic bearings and operate in a vacuum to reduce minimize air friction, which would slow the wheel.

Flywheels are not suitable for long-term energy storage but are effective in balancing fluctuations in electricity supply and demand.

  1. Batteries

Similar to common rechargeable batteries, very large batteries can store electricity.

These systems can use lithium-ion, lead-acid, solid-state batteries, flow batteries or other battery technologies.

Lithium-ion batteries are by far the most popular battery storage option today and control more than 90 percent of the global grid battery storage market.

  1. Hydrogen

Electricity can be converted into hydrogen by electrolysis.

The hydrogen can be stored and eventually re-electrified.

This storage method is reliable, has a high energy density and releases no emissions.

  1. Thermal energy storage 

Thermal energy systems use heating and cooling methods to store and release energy.

For energy storage, materials like rocks, salts, or water are heated and kept in insulated environments.

When energy needs to be generated, the thermal energy is released by pumping cold water onto the hot rocks, salts, or hot water in order to produce steam, which spins turbines.

Thermal energy storage can also be used to heat and cool buildings rather than generating electricity.

For example, thermal storage can be used to make ice overnight to cool a building during the day.

flywheel for electricity storage

flywheel for electricity storage

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN ELECTRICITY STORAGE

New technologies such as supercapacitors and superconducting magnetic energy storage are currently under development to meet storage demands.

Energy storage companies are also birthing technologies that will increase the efficiency of various storage facilities currently in use.

The demand for a more flexible and cleaner grid has led to a significant increase in the construction of new energy storage projects and to the development of better energy storage solutions.

💡 What is Electrical Energy? Complete Learning Guide

💡 What is Electrical Energy? Complete Learning Guide

by | Dec 16, 2020 | Energy Module

What is Electrical Energy?

A Complete Learning Guide  

written by Stanley Udegbunam || Dec 16, 2020

Electrical Energy learning guide

Table of Content

  1. What is Electrical Energy?
  2. What is Electric Field?
  3. Sources of Electrical Energy
  4. Examples of Electrical Energy
  5. Uses of Electrical Energy
  6. Formula for Electrical Energy
  7. Calculations on Electrical Energy
  8. Why do Utility Companies sell Power in Kilowatt Hour

AFRILCATE

WHAT IS ELECTRICAL ENERGY?

Electrical energy is energy resulting from the flow of electric charges.

It is energy generated whenever electrons move from one atom to another through a conducting medium.

The flow of electrons provides electric current that can be utilized to do work.

The faster the movement of the electron, the more energy they possess.

This will also magnify the intensity of the electric field.

WHAT IS ELECTRIC FIELD?

Electric field is defined as the electric force per unit charge. It is the area surrounding a charged particle.

The direction of an electric field is always shown pointing in the direction a positive particle would travel if it was placed in the same field.

Therefore, the direction of the electric field indicates the direction of force it will exert on a positive test charge.

By convention, the electric field is radially outward from a positive charge and radially inward to a negative point charge.

The flow of electric charge through a conducting material produces electricity.

electric field definition

SOURCES OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Electrical energy is generated from different energy sources.

These sources are categorized into renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources.

Specific examples of electrical energy sources include:

  • Coal
  • Natural Gas
  • Wind
  • Hydro
  • Nuclear Power
  • Sun
  • Biomass and
  • Geothermal energy sources.

EXAMPLES OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

  1. Alternating Current (A.C)

A.C is made available by electric power outlets in our homes and workplaces.

The electric power generated from these outlets is converted into other forms of energy like heat, light or sound energy.

A typical example is the electric pressing Iron. It changes the electric potential energy into heat energy for performing useful work.

  1. Direct Current (D.C)

Electric energy is utilized in the form of direct current in small electronic components and majorly in devices that have circuit boards.

  1. Batteries

They convert chemical energy into electrical energy through the use of one or more electrochemical cells.

  1. Lightning

Lightning is an example of electric current.

It is the visible discharge of electricity that occurs when a region of a cloud acquires an excess electrical charge.

 

  1. Energy generated by electric eels.

USES OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Electrical energy is one of the most versatile and commonly used forms of energy in the world.

The use of electrical energy include:

  • Electric energy is used to power energy-efficient vehicles like Tesla’s motors.
  • Used for city power and illumination through billboards, street lights and traffic lights.
  • Electrical energy is used in hospitals and medical centers for X-ray machines and life support machines.
  • It is generally used to power electric devices and household appliances like television, vacuum cleaner, electric cooker, washing machine etc.
  • Electrical energy is present in living cells, tissues and organisms in the form of bioelectricity.
electrical energy is used to power homes and cities

electrical energy is used to power homes and cities

FORMULA FOR ELECTRICAL ENERGY

The formula for electrical energy is:

Electrical energy = Power x Time

Power is expressed in watts, and

time is expressed in seconds.

Therefore, the unit of Electrical energy is Joules or watt-seconds.

CALCULATIONS ON ELECTRICAL ENERGY

A 2500-watt electric cooker is used to prepare meal for a duration of one hour (3600 seconds),

Calculate the energy expended.

Solution

Energy = P x T = 2500 x 3600 = 9,000 J

Energy = 9,000,000 joules = 9,000 kilojoules.

A kilowatt-hour is the amount of electrical energy that is used by a 1,000 watt appliance within the duration of one hour.

1kwh = 1000 w x 3600 seconds = 3,600,000 joules;

3,600,000 joules = 3,600 kilojoules;

Therefore,

1kwh = 3,600 kilojoules. 

The electric cooker discussed above utilized an electrical energy of 9,000 KJ.

Expressing this in terms of KWH will yield 9,000/3,600 = 2.5 Kwh.

Therefore, 9,000 KJ = 2.5 Kwh

Why do Utility Companies sell Power in Kilowatt Hour (KWH)?

This is because Kilowatt Hour is a more convenient unit to measure power compared to other energy units.

Electrical devices have different consumption rates, and measuring the total energy consumption in Joules will yield values that are too high to be estimated on a bill.

Since these devices consume power over a given time interval, Kilowatt-hour then becomes a better unit for sales.

Kilowatt-hour accounts for the total energy consumption of a household in time intervals of one hour.

For instance, the electric cooker from our calculation above consumes 9,000 Joules in 1 hour, although it’s slightly fictional, it’s not far fetched from what is obtainable in a real-life scenario.

Now, imagine if we calculate the energy consumed by multiple electrical appliances present in a house over the course of a day (24 hours).

I guess we’ll exceed the screen allocation for numerals on the calculator.

Therefore kilowatt-hour (Kwh) is a better unit not just for power sales but also for calculations and energy analysis.

electricity meter for power consumption

electricity meters

17 Advantages And Disadvantages of Non-Renewable Energy

17 Advantages And Disadvantages of Non-Renewable Energy

by | Dec 16, 2020 | Energy Module

17 Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-Renewable Energy

Written by Stanley Udegbunam || Dec 16, 2020

advantages and disadvantages of Non-renewable Energy

Unlike renewable energy, non-renewable energy sources are hardly replenished and the resources will be depleted.

They are many arguments for and against non-renewables and global organizations are encouraging people to make a transition from non-renewable to greener energy sources.

Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable energy sources to better examine our energy choices.

Table of Content

  1. Advantages of Non-Renewable Energy
  2. Disadvantages of Non-Renewable Energy
  3. Energy Verdict

AFRILCATE

ADVANTAGES OF NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY

  1. They are affordable and abundant.
  2. We can prepare non-renewable supplies at almost any location.
  3. Non-renewables produce more power after the refinement process.
  4. Hugh profits can be generated in the mining and selling of coal and oil or from natural gas pipelines constructions.
  5. Thousands of unique products come from non-renewables.
  6. The global economy depends on the presence of non-renewables.
  7. Non-renewable energy provides a stronger energy output.
  8. Our current infrastructure was built specifically for non-renewable energy.
  9. We produce clean energy from non-renewable product.
  10. Fossil fuels encourage more plant growth around the world through the emission of greenhouse gas.
Pros and Cons of Non-renewable Energy

advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable energy

DISADVANTAGES OF NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY

  1. Once exhausted, they can’t be replaced or revitalized.
  2. The process involved from the exploring, mining, installing oil drills, down to refining the raw form, is time consuming and takes a lot of effort.
  3. Combustion of fossil fuel releases carbon monoxide which depletes the ozone layer and also dangerous to human health.
  4. Non-renewable energies lead to high levels of pollution.
  5. Non-renewables can be dangerous and cause respiratory problems to humans because sources like fossil fuels emit gasses such as carbon monoxide.
  6. Accident outbreaks in oil refineries like explosion or a fallen oil tanker can be very disastrous and claims lives of multitude.
  7. Coal Mining is a risky job because cutting coal releases harmful gasses making it difficult to breath resulting in a large number of respiratory diseases, injuries and deaths every year.

ENERGY VERDICT

Despite the numerous advantages of using fossil fuels for our energy, it’s obvious that the negative effect of non-renewables outweighs its advantages.

Without an alternative source of energy, we could soon be facing a major energy crisis in the near future.

It is important to take the right action in order to make the world a better place for future generations by transitioning to greener energy sources.

Over the years, advancement in technology has made renewable energy more accessible, affordable, and efficient.

Advocating for renewables, or using them in your home, can accelerate the transition toward a clean energy future.

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