Define sources of energy
Energy is the capacity of a body to do work.
We Classify the sources of energy on the basis of:
<u>Occurence:</u>
- Natural Sources: Natural energy sources are those which are made available to us by nature. Solar energy, wind energy, energy from water (hydro energy) are some of such natural sources of Energy.
- Synthetic Sources: Synthetic energy are those that use man-made materials as sources of energy. Fir example, chemical energy, stored in the batteries, (used in calculators, watches, etc.) is a synthetic source of energy.
<u>Physical</u><u> </u><u>State:</u>
- Solid: Firewood, Charcoal, coal are examples of solid fuels.
- Liquid: Kerosene, Petrol & diesel are all liquid fuels.
- Gas: Petroleum gas, commonly used as LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas), & natural gas, also used CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), are examples of gaseous fuels
<u>Availability</u><u>:</u>
- Renewable: A renewable source of energy is a natural resource that can replenish itself naturally over a short period of time. Wind, sun, biomass (from plants) & hydropower (from water) are all renewable sources of energy. These arr inexhaustible natural resources.
- Non-renewable: Energy sources which get us & cannot be replaced or replenished in a short period of time are called non-renewable sources of energy. These are also called exhaustible natural resources. Fossil fuels, (like petroleum, natural gas & coal), are non-renewable sources of energy.