A classification of energy forms according to the levels of organization of matter

Abstract

The study investigates mechanical, thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, and nuclear types of energy from the standpoint of organization of matter in order to establish a connection between them. In this regard, a calculation and comparison of the energy potentials for various levels of matter organization were performed. For mechanical energy, the potential energy and the energy of a steel disk at a rotation frequency of 100,000 rpm were considered. The potential of thermal energy was discussed using the example of a steel sample heated from 20 to 1,400C. For chemical energy, the most common combustible element in technology – carbon – was considered. The energy potential of electromagnetic energy was estimated by determining the total charge of all electrons in 1 kg of iron. For nuclear energy, a calculation of the energy released during the decay of 1 kg of U235 was carried out. A dependence of the energy potential degree on the level of matter organization was established. The possibility of using the energy potential of the next level of matter organization was considered. Patterns of the levels of matter organization were revealed. Despite the fundamental nature of the material presented in this article, it is aimed at a specific practical application in a device developed as part of a doctoral dissertation by one of the authors on the topic “Cogeneration thermal and power complex combining the principles of energy transformation”. A classification of energy forms in accordance with the levels of matter organization was carried out in the framework of identifying the general principles and patterns of using low-potential sources of various energy forms. This classification allows a new thermal transformer and a thermal and power complex to be created. The initial theoretical studies carried out by the authors will subsequently form a basis for the creation of various energy transformers capable of operating with several types of energy in one device.