11 Example Of Radiant Energy To Potential Energy: Detailed Explanations

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The radiant energy may be in the form of heat, light, sound. If the radiant energy from a source is stored for future use, then we can say that the stored energy is nothing but potential energy.

Here in the below list, we gave the example of radiant energy to potential energy.

Solar cell

A solar cell is the most convenient example of radiant energy to potential energy conversion. When the light radiated from the sun fall on the solar panel, the panel absorbs the radiation and converts the radiation into electrical charges processing the potential energy.

example of radiant energy to potential energy
Image credits: Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay 

The potential energy processed by the electrical charges stored in the solar cell is further converted into heat or light energy.

Solar water heater

The solar water heater utilizes solar radiation to heat the water. The panel absorbed the radiated sunlight fitted to the tank. The panel converts the radiant energy into electrical potential energy, which is further converted as the heat energy is transferred to the water.

Read more on Examples of conversion of light to mechanical energy.

Photosynthesis

The plant utilizes sunlight for the process of photosynthesis. The plants absorb the light radiated from the sun and then release the oxygen to the atmosphere and utilize carbon dioxide to form carbohydrates stored in the leaves and roots of the plant. Thus radiant energy is converted into chemical potential energy through photosynthesis.

The heat generated due to friction

Every object possesses friction which restricts its motion. When a moving object possesses large friction, heat is radiated between the object the moving surface. The heat thus generated by the friction makes the object stop its motion.

The object in the stationary state always possesses potential energy. Hence by stopping the motion of the object, the heat produced due to friction sets an example of radiant energy to potential energy conversion.

Read more on Example of heat energy to mechanical energy

Food cooked in a microwave oven

Microwave ovens are used for cooking and baking food. The microwave is radiated in the cooking chamber of the oven. As the radiation falls on the food, heat is generated, and the food gets cooked. The cooked food is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and other nutrients stored in the food as chemical potential energy.

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Image credits: Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay 

X-ray scanning image

To detect the fracture or any defect inside the body tissue, x-rays are used. X-ray carries the radiant energy when it falls on the body tissue. The x-ray beam shoots the body and travels along with the soft tissue. The x-ray scanner machine is attached to the detector, which can produce the image by interacting with a film. Thus travelled x-ray beam inside the body produces the image in the thin film.

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Image credits: Image by Dmitriy Gutarev from Pixabay 

The heat emitted by the barbecue grill

In the barbecue grilling process, the natural gas undergoes a chemical reaction in the furnace, and thus, radiant energy in the form of heat is generated.

The heat generated in the grill cooks our food and keeps the food warm as long as the grill radiates the heat. The cooked food stores the potential energy. Thus barbecue grill is considered as an example of radiant energy to potential energy.

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Image credits: Image by Никита Лазоренко from Pixabay 

Ultraviolet radiation

In the previous example, we have discussed the radiant energy from the converted as potential energy. Several artificial ultraviolet radiation sources emit radiation that is converted into potential energy.

Phototherapy is the best example of radiant energy into potential energy using UV radiation. Phototherapy utilizes the exposure of the body to fluorescent UV radiation. This technique is mainly used in the treatment of jaundice in newborns. By exposing the infant to UV radiation, the body absorbs the radiation from the source and stores it inside the body, thus helping the body oxidize the bilirubin component from the blood and thus eliminate it.

Infrared radiation

Infrared radiation is used as a catalyst in many chemical reactions. For easy splitting of a water molecule into oxygen and hydrogen molecule, IR radiation is used as the catalyst. When the IR radiation is incident on the water molecule, a vibration is irradiated to break the bond between the Hydrogen and oxygen molecule. Thus oxygen and hydrogen possess chemical potential energy.

Cell phones

The cell phone stores the electrical charges which possess potential energy. As the electrical charges flow towards the batteries, some amount of heat is radiated in the process of storing the charges. Thus, storing charges in the cell phone battery is also due to the radiant energy from the electrical energy. Therefore cell phones are also an example of radiant energy to potential energy conversion.

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Image credits: Image by Shabaz khan from Pixabay 

Disc brake in automobiles

While driving when you apply the brake to stop your vehicle. The application of brake is good example of radiant energy to potential energy. The disc brake in the automobile generates heat due to friction. As the heat radiated from the disc brake increases due to friction in the moving automobile, it begins to decelerate, and finally, the motion is retarded. Thus the radiant energy is converted into potential energy in automobiles.

Solar cooker

Solar cooker utilizes the sunlight for food cooking purpose. The solar cooker uses a concave mirror to reflect the sunlight. The radiant light energy from the sun falls on the pan, which contains the food to be cooked. As the light strikes, the concave mirror focus the light to a single point, and the light energy is converted into heat, and thus food gets cooked, which has the chemical energy in the form of potential energy.

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