Where does the energy disappear to?

  • Thread starter IPhO' 2008
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In summary, when there are electrons and protons, there is an electric field with energy. However, inside an atom, there is no electric field. This is because the energy of the fields becomes the binding energy of the atom. This binding energy can be negative because it is measured relative to the unbound state of the constituents, where infinite separation between the components is the reference state with 0 energy. This is similar to how reference points can be set for gravitational potential energy and voltage. The negative sign of the binding energy reflects the fact that work can be done in bringing the constituents together to form an atom.
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IPhO' 2008
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When we have electron and proton . Both electron and proton have electric field and electric field has energy.Inside the atom, there are electrons and protons but atom has no electric field.
Why the energy of the electric field disappear?
 
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  • #2
The energy of the fields becomes the binding energy of the atom i.e. during the binding work can be done on something else.
 
  • #3
Thank you so much.
 
  • #4
I have 1 question.
An energy of the electric field has a positive sign (+) . But the binding energy has a negative sign (-).Why?
 
  • #5
Remember when you first learned about gravitational potential energy that you learned that you could set your h=0 reference point anywhere you wanted, and when you first learned about voltage that you could set your V=0 reference point (ground) anywhere you wanted. This is because only differences in energy have any physical significance and so energies are always implicitly or explicitly with reference to some specified reference state which is arbitrarily given a value of 0 energy. In the case of binding energy the reference state is the unbound constituents, i.e. infinite separation between the various components. The fact that it is negative reflects the fact that e.g. work can be done in bringing an electron and a proton from far away to form a hydrogen atom.
 

FAQ: Where does the energy disappear to?

1. Where does the energy go when it is used?

When energy is used, it is converted into a different form of energy or transferred to another object. For example, when you turn on a lightbulb, electrical energy is converted into light and heat energy. In other cases, energy may be stored for later use, such as when a battery is charged. Ultimately, energy is never truly lost, but rather transformed or transferred.

2. Why does energy seem to disappear or run out?

Energy itself does not disappear or run out, but the usable or accessible energy may decrease over time. This can happen due to the conversion of energy into less useful forms (such as heat), or because the energy is transferred to another object. Additionally, some sources of energy (such as fossil fuels) are finite, meaning they will eventually run out if we continue to use them at the current rate.

3. Can energy be created or destroyed?

According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transformed from one form to another. This means that the total amount of energy in a closed system will remain constant over time.

4. Does energy disappear in a vacuum?

No, energy does not disappear in a vacuum. In fact, a vacuum is often used to help preserve energy by minimizing heat transfer or other forms of energy transfer. However, energy can still be transformed or transferred within a vacuum, such as through electromagnetic radiation.

5. How can we measure or track where energy goes?

Scientists and engineers use a variety of tools and techniques to measure and track energy. These may include energy meters, heat sensors, and calculations based on the laws of thermodynamics. Additionally, energy audits can be conducted to determine how energy is being used within a system or building. Overall, measuring and tracking energy is an important part of understanding and managing our use of this valuable resource.

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