- #1
hondaman520
- 33
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Please don't be bothered by my question, i know it sounds real elementary and it could easily be researched, but after doing so, i haven't been able to find anything on how or why the natural phenomenon of energy release takes place as chemicals react with one another. If you think about it, this is probably a more physics related phenomenon as I've learned of most of this energy difference takes place at a quantom level.
Let me add that I am currently specialized in automotive technology and right now I am pursuing my major in mechanical engineering. So i try to train my brain to think about these concepts while i go through my "gen-ed" college courses, because the teachers seem to have no time to do so themselves.. (they are trained to get you the material that will be covered in the exams.. sadly)
I've spend a chapter on quantom physics (in a college course, but i haven't had time to grasp the real significance/connection of it..) so i understand the the quantom leaps and energy transfer upon light emission and so on. I wasnt sure if it was quantom physics related.. more as nuclear unstable elements are.Let me provide an example, butane: c4h10 reacts with oxygen: o2 to produce h2o...
During that re-composition, a hella bunch of energy is released upon ignition of two molecules that seemed previously dormant in our atmosphere, but this phenomenon isn't explained in my basic chemistry course... I guess so far my observation of this example would be the fact that hydrogen is a good source of energy because it is so simple and concentrated. (correct me if I'm wrong)
-another example is the relation between pbo2 and pb when sulfuric acid is between them (acting as a strong electrolyte), i understand the strong chemical reaction that occurs. But what i don't understand is how such a reaction causes a difference in potential energy across the two plates- creating a voltage and flow of electrons. I know its got to happen at a subatomic particle level, again leading this to more of a physical observation.
If someone could further explain this origin of energy that is transformed, maybe its just one of the natural occurrences just as you press your finger on a spring, energy is now stored potentially, then released upon letting off the spring.. its got to be the same as loading a battery full of electrolyte, so that a controlled chemical reaction can occur between the two dissimilar metals, releasing energy in the form of something else.
Anyone care to enlighten me, and pardon me for my in depth analysis, I think at this point i just need to be redirected in my thinking strategy.
Let me add that I am currently specialized in automotive technology and right now I am pursuing my major in mechanical engineering. So i try to train my brain to think about these concepts while i go through my "gen-ed" college courses, because the teachers seem to have no time to do so themselves.. (they are trained to get you the material that will be covered in the exams.. sadly)
I've spend a chapter on quantom physics (in a college course, but i haven't had time to grasp the real significance/connection of it..) so i understand the the quantom leaps and energy transfer upon light emission and so on. I wasnt sure if it was quantom physics related.. more as nuclear unstable elements are.Let me provide an example, butane: c4h10 reacts with oxygen: o2 to produce h2o...
During that re-composition, a hella bunch of energy is released upon ignition of two molecules that seemed previously dormant in our atmosphere, but this phenomenon isn't explained in my basic chemistry course... I guess so far my observation of this example would be the fact that hydrogen is a good source of energy because it is so simple and concentrated. (correct me if I'm wrong)
-another example is the relation between pbo2 and pb when sulfuric acid is between them (acting as a strong electrolyte), i understand the strong chemical reaction that occurs. But what i don't understand is how such a reaction causes a difference in potential energy across the two plates- creating a voltage and flow of electrons. I know its got to happen at a subatomic particle level, again leading this to more of a physical observation.
If someone could further explain this origin of energy that is transformed, maybe its just one of the natural occurrences just as you press your finger on a spring, energy is now stored potentially, then released upon letting off the spring.. its got to be the same as loading a battery full of electrolyte, so that a controlled chemical reaction can occur between the two dissimilar metals, releasing energy in the form of something else.
Anyone care to enlighten me, and pardon me for my in depth analysis, I think at this point i just need to be redirected in my thinking strategy.
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