What DQ3: is an example of energy from your everyday experience? What would your life be
like if it was not there?
Energy is the ability to do work. It cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from place to
place. Forms of energy include light, sound, heat and also anything mechanical and chemical.
The sun is the source of almost all energy on Earth that we use. Examples of energy from my
everyday experience includes me waking up to an alarm clock, me and my husband taking a
shower with water warmed by a hot water heater, listening to the music on the radio as me and
my family eating breakfast or getting dressed for our day, and also driving my car to and from all
of my daily destinations.
In the context of chemistry, energy is an attribute of a substance as a consequence of its atomic,
molecular or aggregate structure (Duncan, 2002). Together, homes and buildings consume more
than a third of the energy used in the United States today. In the last 30 years, Americans have
reduced the amount energy of used in their homes and commercial buildings. We still heat and
cool rooms, and heat hot water. We have more home and office machines than ever. Most of the
energy savings have come from improvements in technology and in the ways the equipment is
manufactured.
Life cannot exist without energy. It is literally impossible since the sun is the most used source
for energy. The energy we encounter and use everyday has always been with us since the
beginning of time. It just changes form all around us, which is called the law of conservation of
energy. I couldnt imagine my life without energy, but if I ever had to, Im sure it would be
challenging and very uncomfortable. I dont even like to go camping where there is no
electricity. You cant shower, or cook on a stove or in an oven, and you also cant drive. Those
few things alone are enough to convince me that life without energy would be tough.
Source:
Duncan, Todd (2002). Energy and Everyday Experience. Science Integration Institute.