Chemical+Energy

=Chemical Energy= The term chemical energy refers to energy that is stored in molecular bonds, the forces that hold molecules together. So releasing chemical energy must mean the energy is finally free from its molecular bonds. In the more general sense, of course, it is potential energy. Stored energy, or energy that is "waiting to happen", or that has the "potential" to happen, or that can happen but hasn't yet, is rather sensibly called ** potential energy **.

Chemical Energy Equivalents (batteries, foods, and fuels)Exercise Equivalents (running, walking, swimming, and biking)Mechanical Energy Equivalents (cars, trains, weights, and speeds)Pollution Equivalents (smog, global warming, and acid rain)Thermal Energy Equivalents (heat, cold, and melting ice)Worldwide Energy Use Equivalents (homes, huts, igloos, and yurts) kilowatt-hours is equivalent to the energy stored in each of the following:* **fast-food meals** (burger, fries, drink, at 1,500 calories per meal). The human body converts the chemical energy from food into mechanical energy and body heat. When you buy food, you are buying energy to keep your body running. You know what happens without it!
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 * **pieces of firewood** (15 pounds each, 20% moisture). Firewood is the major source of energy in many parts of the world. [[image:http://www.soltrex.com/images/question1_orangesbbg.gif width="12" height="12" align="top" caption="Open glossary..." link="http://www.soltrex.com/learn/calculator.cfm?calctype=chem"]]
 * **gallons of gasoline.** Your family car uses gasoline, which stores a large amount of energy in a small volume. [[image:http://www.soltrex.com/images/question1_orangesbbg.gif width="12" height="12" align="top" caption="Open glossary..." link="http://www.soltrex.com/learn/calculator.cfm?calctype=chem"]]
 * **pounds of coal.** Coal is the most abundant fosil fuel on earth. It is a major source of fuel for power plants. [[image:http://www.soltrex.com/images/question1_orangesbbg.gif width="12" height="12" align="top" caption="Open glossary..." link="http://www.soltrex.com/learn/calculator.cfm?calctype=chem"]]
 * **therms of natural gas.** Natural gas is sold by the therm. A therm is equivalent to 100,000 British Thermal Units (BTU) of energy, and it takes about a hundred cubic feet of natural gas to make up a therm. These are just different measurements of energy, like feet versus meters or miles. If they wanted to, your gas company could bill for its product by the kilowatt hour. [[image:http://www.soltrex.com/images/question1_orangesbbg.gif width="12" height="12" align="top" caption="Open glossary..." link="http://www.soltrex.com/learn/calculator.cfm?calctype=chem"]]
 * **A lead-acid battery weighing pounds.** The energy stored in lead acid batteries starts cars and runs golf carts and electric cars. Compare the energy stored in a gallon of gasoline to the amount stored in a pound of battery. [[image:http://www.soltrex.com/images/question1_orangesbbg.gif width="12" height="12" align="top" caption="Open glossary..." link="http://www.soltrex.com/learn/calculator.cfm?calctype=chem"]] ||  ||