Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe
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Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe
Increasing our knowledge of Physics, using the scientific method to make observations and test hypotheses is essential to unlocking the secrets of the universe. Energy is one of the most fundamental elements of the universe. Throughout history, man has endeavored to expose, understand, and explain how and why things work. This drive to expand our understanding eventually led to the development of the scientific method and what is commonly considered to be the king of the sciences, Physics. The effects of energy on the physical world are of great interest to Physicists. The scientific method was developed during the seventeenth century. It is based on collaborative efforts of the great scientists and mathematicians who lived during that period such as Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilee, Johannes Kepler, and Rene Descartes. These men realized that true knowledge must be based on empirical observation and verified by experimentation. Recently, physicists have been searching for a unifying theory to bring all of the fields of Physics together under a single umbrella theory expressed as a short equation. This so called unifying field theory will usher in a new era in physics and greatly increase our understanding of the workings of the universe Physics is the king of science, and Sir Issac Newton is the king of Physics. Physics deals with matter, motion, force, and energy.
In order to understand motion, one needs to look no further the Sir Issac Newton. Newtons studies eventually led to the development of three distinct, but related theories dealing with velocity, acceleration, inertia, friction and momentum, these theories are so widely accepted that they are commonly called “Newtons Three Laws of Motion.” These laws, after almost three hundred years of testing and scrutiny, remain as fundamental principles governing the world we live in. By increasing our understanding of energy and the laws governing it, Newtons laws have dramatically changed our world and promise to continue to change it in the years to come. Newtons first law states that if the vector sum of the forces acting on an object is zero, then the object will remain at rest or remain moving at constant velocity. This means that an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by a net force. It also means that an object in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net force. This law has been integral to our understanding of motion because it explains why things move and how velocity is changed. No object can spontaneously attain motion unless a force acts upon it; likewise, no moving object can stop or change velocity unless a force acts upon it.
Sir Isaac Newtons contribution to Physics is undisputable. The applications of Newtons observations are visible in all moving machines, from bicycles and cars, to rockets and the space shuttle. Even after centuries of testing, his laws still hold true. Newtons Laws of motion have influenced countless renowned physicists including the great Albert Einstein, who later expanded on them. By increasing our understanding of energy and the laws governing it, Newtons laws continue to influence physicists today, and will continue to for centuries to come. No other Physicist in history can claim to have had the impact on the world that Newton has. Sir Isaac Newton is truly the champion of motion.
Energy physics is defined by physics as the capacity of a physical system to do work. Energy is one of the most fundamental elements of the universe. It is the quantity, which ties together all branched of Physics. The effects of energy on the physical world are of great interest to Physicists. There are many different kinds of energy: Potential, Chemical, Elastic, Gravitational, Nuclear, Heat, Kinetic, Electrical, Electro-magnetic. Potential energy is energy that is stored and has the potential to do work. Gravitational energy is energy that a body has because it is near something with (normally) large gravity. Chemical energy is energy a body has because of what it is made. This is present in an electrical cell, explosives, food and petrol. Elastic energy is energy that is stored when something is stretched or compressed. This is present in a pulled rubber band, or a squashed spring. Nuclear energy is Energy that is stored in the nucleus of atoms that can be released during fission, fusion or radioactive decay.
In the near future the world will be faced with a decision to expand nuclear energy or be faced with a lower standard of living. One of the major requirements for sustaining human progress is an adequate source of energy. The current largest sources of energy are the combustion of coal, oil and natural gas. They will last quite a while but will probably run out or become harmful in tens to hundreds of years. Solar energy will also work but is not much developed yet except for special applications because of its high cost. This high cost as a main source, e.g. for central station electricity, is likely to continue, and nuclear energy is likely to remain cheaper. It is advantage of nuclear energy (and also of solar energy) that it doesnt put carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.
Nuclear energy refers to the energy consumed or produced in modifying the composition of the atomic nucleus. Nuclear energy also powers electricity-generating plants in countries throughout the world. It is seen by many as the source of inexpensive, clean power; but, because of the hazardous radiation emitted in producing that power and the radioactivity of the materials used, others feel that it may not be a viable energy alternative to the use of fossil fuels or solar energy. Entergy officials have said a new nuclear plant becomes economically viable when the price of natural gas consistently tops $5 per million British thermal units. Although prices in south Louisiana topped $10 per million BTU last year during the shortage, they fell back after supplies strengthened. In April 2005: It was over $6 per million BTU. Nuclear power can come from the fission of uranium, plutonium or thorium or the fusion of hydrogen into helium. Today it is almost all uranium. The basic energy fact is that the fission of an atom of uranium produces 10 million times the energy produced by the combustion of an atom of carbon from coal.
Fission releases great amounts of energy and is a nuclear process. This process occurs in the nucleus of an atom. This occurs when the nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei plus some by-products. Free neutrons and