Nature of Energy

Energy in Nature

This means that all resources available are those that are already on Earth. These resources are FINITE.


The only resource we get from outside of Earth is SUNLIGHT (ENERGY)

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The Earth is a CLOSED system

Energy is neither created nor destroyed.

If energy is not created, where does it come from?
Energy is stored in various forms.
Our energy comes from the sun.

The First Law of Thermodynamics

What is Energy?

ENERGY- The ability to do work
WORK- Transfer of energy via the application of FORCE
HEAT - Energy transferred via changes in temperature

1. Kinetic - Energy of an object that is in motion.

   1. Solar Radiation

   2. Wheel rolling down a hill

2. Potential - Energy that is stored due to its position or condition

   1. Roller coaster at the top of a track

   2. Energy stored in a chemical bond

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Types of Energy

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​Work would be the force applied by the Orca on the boat.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

​Entropy is increasing and irreversible

As energy is used and transformed, this process is irreversible, and as more and more energy is used, entropy is increasing.
Entropy - decline into disorder

In a wildfire, the energy in the chemical bonds created by the plant are broken, and the energy is released as heat. This reaction is NOT reversible. The fire and the carbon released cannot be reversed back into the trees that were burned. This is not less "organized" and thus entropy is increased.

​Why this matters in ecology

The laws of thermodynamics are essential to living systems. Ecosystems are relationships of energy moving through trophic levels.

​Energy on Earth comes from the Sun

​Earth is bombarded by solar energy. Our atmosphere reflects some of it, and lets some through. This is converted into SUGAR by plants through photosynthesis, which is the basis of all energy used by other organisms.

​Humans harvest solar energy through solar power such as the Ivanpah Solar Plant which reflects sunlight onto a steam powered generator.

Photosynthesis

A chemical reaction carried out by plants in organelles called chloroplasts

​6CO₂ + 6H₂O -(light)-> C₆H₁₂O₆ +6O₂

Photosynthesis changes sunlight into usable energy

​Primary Production

​Produce - to make
Primary - first; before all others
Photosynthesis is the PRIMARY PRODUCTION of energy on Earth. While energy comes from the Sun, it needs to be converted into a usable ORGANIC form of energy before other organisms can use it.

This makes photosynthesizing organisms Primary Producers and the base level of the Trophic Pyramid.