31+ Non Mechanical Energy Examples: Detailed Facts

Mechanical energy is the combination of kinetic energy and the potential energy of the system.

The non mechanical energy examples are those activities that are achieved without using the mechanical energy and the work is done. Here is a list of examples that we are going to discuss below:-

Seismic Waves

The seismic waves are generated due to the plate tectonic activities and the movement of the molten magma. There are two types of wave p-wave and s-wave. P-wave can traverse through the asthenosphere but s-wave can pass through only the solid medium.

The Vehicle Parked on the Roadside

The vehicles parked experience the gravitational potential energy, the air drag, and frictional force on tires.

The stationary vehicles are examples of non mechanical energy as there is no utilization of mechanical energy.

Scanning

Scanning is a method used to decrypt the code, to make a soft copy of the text, paper, images, etc. The scanner is connected to the computer system and the scanned copies are displayed on the computer screen on digitizing the information.

Solar Panels

The solar panels are used to convert the sunlight energy to electrical energy. The sunlight incident on the panel supplies energy to the electrons of the semiconducting surface.

The agility of the electrons produces the direct current which is converted into ac supply by using an inverter.

Electric Current

The electric current is produced due to the mobility of the free electrons present in the conducting material. The direction of the current is opposite to the direction of the motion of the free electrons. Thus electric current is an example of electrical energy and is non mechanical energy.

Electrolysis

The electrolysis is a process through which the chemical reaction takes place by supplying electric current through the chemical stored in a beaker. Two rods are inserted into the solution. On application of current, one rob behaves as an anode and another rod as a cathode. The positive ions will move towards the cathode and negative ions in the solution will migrate towards the anode as unlink charges attract.

Soldering

It is a process of joining two or more metallic parts together by using a good conducting metal such that the electrical current can pass through it and the device can work.

The most widely used metal for soldering purposes is copper. The soldering iron device is heating and the copper is melted and the molten copper is dropped to connect the two parts together making a strong bond.

Bulb

The bulb has a tungsten filament which is a very rare element found on the Earth. As the electric current pass through this filament which is at the center of the bulb, the electrons start exciting. This excitation of the electrons radiates energy in the form of light thus brightening the room. This is also a non mechanical example.

LEDs

The light-emitting diode is a semiconductor and the color of different LED lights depends upon the band-gap of the semiconductor.

As the current pass through the diode, the electrons will migrate to cross this band-gap and occupies the hole and the photon is released. The energy required to cross the band gap determines the color or the wavelength emitted by the diode.

PIR Sensor

The PIR sensor is a passive infrared sensor, which senses the difference in the energy levels and hence is also called the motion sensor. This is widely used in the electric bulbs in different places like in malls, storerooms, warehouses, malls, washrooms, etc. The wave irradiated from the object incident on the crystal is sensed by the sensor and reads it as the motion because there is a variation in the energy and the light bulb glows.

Reflection

The incident ray of light reflected at the same angle is called a reflection of that light. The mirror is an example of reflection.

This is a non mechanical energy example. The angle made by the normal and the incident wave is equal to the angle made by the reflected wave with the normal.

Absorption

The absorption of the light rays by the object depends upon its emissivity factor while the absorption of the molecules from the solution depends upon the void and spacing between the molecules comprising the object.

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission does not involve any mechanical process. The parent nuclei bifurcate into two nuclei giving out a huge amount of energy. This clearly depends upon nuclear energy. This nuclear energy is used in nuclear power plants to produce a large amount of energy. The reactant where the nuclear fission takes place has to be maintained properly to avoid reaching it at the supercritical stage.

Buoy

Buoys are used as navigator marks on the river and sea routes.

Also, it is used by fishermen on the fishing net to locate their net where they have set the net to catch the fish as it remains stable on the surface of the water due to the buoyant force exerted by the volume of the water.

Metamorphism

Metamorphism is a process of solidification of the rock mass as a result of continuous exposure to the heat and pressure conditions for a prolonged time. The grains of the rocks develop well-defined faces and structures.

Vibrations

The vibrations are produced due to the back and forth motion of the molecules. The vibrations result in the formation of longitudinal waves which form the region of compression and expansion depending upon the motion of the molecules in its path.

Camp Fire

The burning wood gives out the heat energy and the radiant energy in the form of a light blaze.

It is non mechanical energy as the chemical energy of the wood and fuel is utilized to fire the wood, and this chemical energy is converted into radiant energy providing warmth during the campfire.

Batteries

Batteries are also an example of the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy which is non mechanical energy. The batteries are filled with the chemical components where reactants will react to produce a final product, the stage where batteries can no longer be used. Some are rechargeable batteries like nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion batteries, etc which last for 5-7 years.

Natural Gas

The natural gas obtained from the Earth’s crust is used in the gas cylinders. This gas is stored in the liquid form under the high pressure in the cylinder. When the knob is turned open, the gas will move from high pressure to the low-pressure region by converting its liquid phase into the gaseous and passing through the burner.

Solar Cooker

The solar cookers work on the radiation energy received by the Sun.

The sunlight is incident on the black body where the energies photons from the sunrays are completely absorbed by the blackbody and the food kept in the container gets cooked.

Solar Heaters

The solar heater also works on the principles of radiation energy photons. The light waves incident on the heater are absorbed and are irradiated out in absence of the Sun during the night and provides warmth in the room during the winters.

Decomposition

It is a decay of the organic matter due to a decomposition reaction that takes place as a large amount of heat is supplied to the organic matter.

This heat energy is utilized to break the bonds between the molecules and degrade them into smaller parts.

Melting

The process of transformation of a solid into a liquid state is called melting. It requires an amount of heat energy to overcome the molecular attraction force and increase the spacing between the molecules lowering the density of the matter. The heat energy is utilized to break the bond between the molecules and increase the distance of separation between the molecules thus converting the solid state to the liquid state.

Boiling

The boiling point is the temperature at which the liquid starts boiling and converts its state to the vapor phase.

The heat energy is supplied to the liquid by heating it for a time in a container. The molecular bonds break due to an immense supply of heat energy and this energy is given out by the vapor in the form of kinetic energy.

Exfoliations

You must have seen the exfoliated rocks and even the old furniture. These exfoliation results because the rocks and furniture undergo different temperature conditions during frequent cold and hot climatic conditions. This results in the expansion of the molecules comprising the objects during hot summers and contraction during the winter season, thus causing the exfoliations.

Light

Light is a source of radiation energy. We receive light energy from the sunlight, electric bulbs, other electronics, bioluminescence, etc.

The light wave carries energies photons along with it, and the photon emits this energy upon incident on the object.

Irradiation

Irradiation is the emission of the energy absorbed by the object upon being exposed to the radiation. The incident light energy gives away its energy to the object which is absorbed by the object depending upon its emissivity. This increases the internal heat energy of the object and is given out in the form of waves of slightly longer wavelengths and shorter frequencies.

Condensation

Condensation is a process of combining the vapors to turn them back into the liquid state. The accumulation of the evaporated vapors into the air loses its kinetic energy at a certain height and collides with the surrounding vapors due to surface tension to form a cloud.

Geothermal Energy

It is the energy derived from the depth of the Earth’s crust.

The geothermal energy increases at every depth beneath the earth as the overlaying pressure on the mass increases down the depth and with increasing pressure, the temperature also rises.

Photosynthesis

It is a process by which the green plants prepare their own food in the presence of sunlight and give out oxygen. It is a non mechanical energy example as there is no combination of the kinetic and potential energy is seen. The energy responsible for this process is the radiant energy received by the plant during daylight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water stored in a tank an example of non mechanical energy?

The hydraulic pressure of the water stored in the tank depends upon the depth of water from the water level.

The water in a tank is in a stable state, this indicates that there is no mechanical activity. The water possesses the gravitational potential energy depending on the height of the level and is an example of non mechanical energy.

An object rolling on the ground is an example of mechanical or non mechanical energy?

The object on the ground experiences the gravitational force on it.

The rolling object possesses potential energy which is converted into kinetic energy while rolling. The combination of both energies is mechanical energy.

Is running tap water an example of non mechanical energy?

The water moves from the high pressure region to the low pressure area.

The running tap water cannot be an example of non mechanical energy. This is because the volume of water falling from the height has potential energy and kinetic energy too, hence is an example of mechanical energy.

Is elastic energy the form of mechanical energy or non mechanical energy?

In an elastic collision, the mass and movement of the colliding object are conserved.

The object in the motion has kinetic energy and the object does have some potential energy accompanied with it gained upon colliding, thus is a form of mechanical energy.

Is spring energy an example of mechanical energy or non mechanical energy?

The spring is also an elastic object because it regains its original shape and size when the force incident over it is released.

When the force is applied to the spring, the potential energy is stored by the spring which is converted into kinetic energy as the pressure is released, thus it is an example of mechanical energy.

Also Read:

• How to optimize magnetic energy in electric motor design
• Why is energy important in electrical engineering
• Can energy be negative
• How to assess energy consumption in industrial processes
• How to find energy in a quantum cascade laser
• How to determine energy change in phase transitions
• How to find energy stored in a spring
• How to calculate energy in a solenoid
• Passive solar energy examples
• Conservation of energy