26 Chemical Energy Facts: Uses, Types And Other Interesting Trivia

Energy stored in the bonds that hold chemical compounds together is known as chemical energy.

Energy is defined as the ability to do work. This simple definition encompasses many types of energies, one of which is chemical energy.

Energy is broadly classified into two different types: kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy refers to the kind of dynamic energy you would see in moving objects, whereas potential energy is stored energy. Chemical energy comes under the category of potential energy because it is latent in chemical compounds unless it gets released through a chemical reaction.

Facts About Chemical Energy

From creating electrical energy, to being the most crucial factor in a chemical reaction that has massive effects on society, chemical energy is as relevant in the industry as in the natural world. Keep reading to learn some basic facts about chemical energy.

• The energy stored within the atoms or molecules that make up a chemical substance is known as chemical energy.
• A chemical reaction happens when atoms or molecules are combined in a specific way. This can either create chemical bonds, or break existing bonds. Chemical energy is released when such a reaction happens.
• Chemical energy, when released from its stored form, can transform into various other kinds of energy, such as thermal or light energy. This is because energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only converted into a different form.
• An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction where the energy released is greater than what went into making it happen. This can create movement or heat, such as the burning of natural gas.
• A chemical reaction that absorbs energy from the atmosphere instead of releasing it is known as an endothermic reaction.
• Fun fact: chemical energy is the most widely used type of energy in the world! Almost all activities of humans involve chemical energy in some form.
• Chemical energy can be renewable or non-renewable depending on the context. If you're burning fossil fuels, chemical energy is definitely non-renewable. However, the chemical energy stored in and used for natural processes such as photosynthesis or bodily functions is renewable.

Types Of Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions come in various types. Some of them involve the splitting of compounds into new substances, while others might result in the creation of a compound due to the combination of molecules.

• A combustion reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which chemical energy is released in the form of heat. As a result, molecular oxygen combines with other compounds to create water and carbon dioxide.
• A synthesis reaction occurs when two or more simple chemical substances combine to form a more complex substance.
• Single displacement is a term used for reactions where atoms from one element are transferred into another element or molecule in a substance.
• Double displacement happens when chemical bonds are exchanged between two compounds to form two entirely different compounds.
• A decomposition reaction is the breaking down of complex substances into simpler substances.
• A redox reaction refers to a reaction that involves reduction and oxidation. In simple terms, electrons, or negatively charged particles of an atom, are either added to or removed from a substance. This is important while talking about chemical energy because redox reactions have a lot to do with the endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions!

The Uses Of Chemical Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds is utilized in various ways for a number of purposes, such as creating electrical power. Have a look at some of the prominent uses of chemical energy below.

• All fossil fuels are packed with chemical energy. For example, you are able to move your vehicle with a fuel like gasoline because the stored chemical energy is converted into mechanical energy.
• Chemical energy present in coal is released during a combustion reaction. This chemical reaction converts chemical energy into thermal energy, which is then used for purposes such as generating electricity in a power plant.
• Another combustion reaction that releases light and heat is the burning of biomass and natural gas. Natural gas is commonly used as cooking fuel.
• Chemical energy is important in cellular respiration. This is the chemical process of changing the chemical energy in glucose, which is obtained after digestion, into a simpler chemical substance called ATP, which your body can use to function.
• The batteries you use for flashlights or remotes have stored chemical energy. When connected to a circuit, the chemicals inside the battery undergo an electrochemical reaction that converts the stored chemical energy into electrical energy.
• Hot packs are life-savers when you have a sore back or cramps. Did you know that the comfort you get from them is the result of an exothermic reaction? This chemical reaction releases thermal energy from the chemical energy stored in the compounds inside the pack.
• Cold packs, on the other hand, give you soothing relief on bruises because of endothermic reactions taking place inside them.

Chemical Energy In Everyday Life

There are many events in your daily life where chemical energy has a crucial role. These instances might go unnoticed because of their mundane and routine nature, but they are actually driven by a chemical system!

• You know that plants need to perform photosynthesis to survive. But did you know that chemical energy plays a key role in the process? Solar energy is converted into chemical energy to produce essential sugars in a plant.
• All sugars are made up of the elements carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen in various proportions. In order for these atoms to come together to create a complex substance, chemical bonds need to be formed.
• Plants use solar energy to form chemical bonds between the atoms present in carbon dioxide and water. This is how solar energy is transformed into chemical energy stored in plants.
• Food chains are an example of the sequential transfer of chemical energy in everyday life. Animals that depend on plants for food absorb the energy stored in them. If you consume meat from an animal that fed on plants, the chemical energy from the origin is transferred into your body!
• When you eat food, the chemical energy stored is broken down through chemical reactions during digestion. This means the stored potential energy is released when food molecules are broken down to form new chemical substances.
• Dry wood has stored chemical energy. The energy released while burning wood is converted into light and thermal energy.