Energy flow and the 10% rule

1st Law of Thermodynamics

Energy can change forms, but is not created or destroyed

2nd Law of Thermodynamics

When energy is converted from one form to another, some of it is degraded to heat

Entropy

Measure of the amount of energy in a physical system that is not available to do work

Trophic Levels

Positions in a food chain or ecological pyramid occupied by groups of organisms with similar feeding modes

10% Rule

~10% of the energy from one trophic level makes it to the next level; 90% is used by the organism & lost as heat

Biomass

Total mass of living material in a given area or volume

Forms of Energy

Chemical, Thermal, Mechanical, Nuclear, Electrical, Radiant, and Solar

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in the bonds of molecules

Radiant Energy

Energy transmitted as electromagnetic waves (radio waves, visible light)

Solar Energy

Radiant energy from the sun (visible, UV, infrared)

Thermal Energy

Heat flowing from a higher temperature to a lower temperature

Mechanical Energy

Energy associated with the motion and position of an object

Electrical Energy

Energy associated with the flow of electric charge

Nuclear Energy

Energy released from atomic nuclei in nuclear reactions

Potential Energy

Energy that an object possesses due to its position or state

Kinetic Energy

Energy of an object due to its motion

Conservation of Energy

The total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time