Chemical potential facts for kids

Gasoline is burned in an engine to convert it to mechanical energy

Chemical Potential Energy is the energy stored inside different substances. This energy is held in the chemical bonds that connect atoms and molecules together. Think of it as a special kind of hidden power waiting to be used! When these bonds break or new ones form, this stored energy can be released or absorbed. It's a very important type of energy all around us.

What is Chemical Potential Energy?

Chemical potential energy is the energy a substance has because of its chemical makeup. It's the energy that can be released during a chemical reaction. For example, when you light a match, the chemicals on the match head have stored energy. When they burn, this energy is released as heat and light. This stored energy is what we call chemical potential energy.

How Plants Use Chemical Energy

One great example of chemical potential energy is found in plants. Plants use a process called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants take energy from the sun. They use this sunlight to change simple chemicals like carbon dioxide and water into sugars. These sugars are like food for the plant. The energy from the sun gets stored in the chemical bonds of these sugars. This is how plants create their own chemical potential energy.

Energy in Our Food

When other organisms, like animals or humans, eat plants, they get that stored chemical energy. For example, when you eat an apple, your body breaks down the sugars in the apple. This releases the chemical energy that was stored there. Your body then uses this energy to move, think, and grow. This is how energy is passed along in a food chain.

Cars and Chemical Energy

Another common example is the energy stored in gasoline. Gasoline is a fuel made of many chemicals. When you start a car, the engine burns the gasoline. This burning is a chemical reaction. It releases the chemical energy stored in the gasoline. This energy is then converted into mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is the energy of motion. This is what makes the car move!

The Law of Conservation of Energy

A very important rule about energy is the conservation of energy law. This law says that energy cannot be created. It also cannot be destroyed. Energy can only be changed from one form into another. For example, the chemical energy in gasoline changes into mechanical energy and heat. The total amount of energy always stays the same. It just changes its form.

Images for kids

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  A diagram showing chemical potential.

See also

In Spanish: Potencial químico para niños