[Chemistry Class Notes] on Chemical Energy Pdf for Exam

Energy refers to the ability to do work, wherein, work is defined as the movement of the body to some kind of force. We require energy throughout and it comes in several forms. Chemical energy is defined as the energy that is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds such as atoms and molecules. This energy gets released whenever a chemical reaction is taking place. Generally, when the chemical energy is released from the substance, it tends to transform into an entirely new substance. The stored chemical energy is released whenever a chemical reaction takes place. Heat is produced often in the form of a by-product of that chemical reaction. This is known as an exothermic reaction. Chemical energy is one of the most used kinds of energy in the world because it is crucial for the existence of not only humans but also all living beings and the natural world. In this article, we will study what is chemical energy, the chemical energy formula, the chemical energy meaning and the chemical energy examples.

 

 

Chemical Energy Definition

The chemical energy definition physics is as follows.

 

Chemical energy refers to the potential of chemical substances for undergoing chemical reactions and getting transformed into another newer substance. In simpler terms, it is the energy that is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds such as atoms and molecules.

 

Chemical energy is released when a substance undergoes a chemical reaction and produces heat mostly in the form of a by-product. This reaction is known to be an exothermic reaction. Some of the examples of stored chemical energy include natural gas, biomass, coal,  petroleum and batteries.

 

Generally, when chemical energy tends to get released from a substance, it gets transformed entirely into a newer substance. An example of this is that when an ongoing explosion goes off,  the chemical energy present in it gets transferred to the surroundings in the form of kinetic energy, thermal energy and sound energy.

 

Chemical Energy Examples in Everyday Life

Given below are some of the chemical energy examples in our day to day life.

• We all know that plants require solar energy for producing sugar from water and carbon dioxide. The sugar, carbon dioxide and water stick together by chemical bonds which hold the chemicals together. 

• Consider for example that all sugars contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms that are held together by several chemical bonds. However, these atoms do not get connected automatically, and some kind of energy is needed to make them stay attached. 

• Plants make use of solar energy to put the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms as a whole unit in the form of sugar. This is a great example of energy transformation wherein energy is transformed from one form to the other. In this case, solar energy gets transformed into chemical energy.

 

Characteristics of Chemical Energy

Let us now discuss some of the characteristics of chemical energy.

 

Chemical energy is released when a chemical reaction takes place, generally in the form of heat. These reactions are known as exothermic reactions. Reactions that need a heat input for proceeding may even store some of this energy in the form of chemical energy in the newly formed bonds. The chemical energy present in food gets converted by the body into heat and mechanical energy. The chemical energy present in coal gets converted into electrical energy at a power station. The chemical energy present in the battery is also able to supply electrical power with the help of the process of electrolysis.