Physics of Energy Sources

THE MANCHESTER PHYSICS SERIES 

General Editors: F.K. LOEBINGER; J.R. FORSHAW; H.E. GLEESON

School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester

 

PROPERTIES OF MATTER

B.H. FLOWERS and E. MENDOZA

 

STATISTICAL PHYSICS Second Edition

F. MANDL

 

ELECTROMAGNETISM Second Edition

I.S. GRANT and W.R. PHILIPS

 

STATISTICS

R. J. BARLOW

 

SOLID STATE PHYSICS Second Edition

J. R. HOOK and H. E. HALL

 

QUANTUM MECHANICS

F. MANDL

 

COMPUTING FOR SCIENTISTS

R.J. BARLOW and A. R. BARNETT

 

THE PHYSICS OF STARS Second Edition

A.C. PHILLIPS

 

 

 

 

NUCLEAR PHYSICS

J.S. LILLEY

 

INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS

A.C. PHILLIPS

 

PARTICLE PHYSICS Fourth Edition

B.R. MARTIN and G. SHAW

 

DYNAMICS AND RELATIVITY

J.R. FORSHAW and A.G. SMITH

 

VIBRATIONS and WAVES

G.C. KING

 

MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICISTS

B.R. MARTIN and G. SHAW

 

PHYSICS OF ENERGY SOURCES

G.C. KING 

 

Physics of Energy Sources provides readers with a balanced presentation of the fundamental physics needed to understand and analyze conventional and renewable energy sources including nuclear, solar, wind and water power. It also presents various ways in which energy can be stored for future use. The book is an informative and authoritative text for students in the physical sciences and engineering and is based on a lecture course given regularly by the author. 

 

With the ever increasing demand for sustainable, environmentally–friendly and reliable sources of energy, the need for scientists and engineers equipped to tackle the challenges of developing and improving upon commercially viable energy sources has never been more urgent. By focusing on the physical principles governing energy production, storage, and transmission, this book provides readers with a solid foundation in the science and technology of energy sources.

 

Physics of Energy Sources features include:

Analyses of conventional and renewable energy sources in terms of underlying physical principles Integrated application of a wide range of physics, from classical to quantum physics Coverage of nuclear, wind, wave, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal and solar power, including many practical systems Consideration of efficiency for power production as well as energy storage and transportation Consideration of key environmental issues  Worked examples in text, and problems & solutions to encourage understanding Derivation of formulae with a minimum of mathematical complexity

Preface

1 Introduction

1.1 Energy Consumption

1.2 Energy Sources

1.3 Renewable and Non–Renewable Energy Sources

1.4 Types of Energy Source

2 The Atomic Nucleus

2.1 The Composition and Properties of Nuclei

2.2 Nuclear Forces and Energies

2.3 Radioactivity and Nuclear Stability

3 Nuclear Power

3.1 How to Get Energy from the Nucleus

3.2 Nuclear Reactions

3.3 Nuclear Fission

3.4 Controlled Fission Reactions

3.5 Nuclear Fusion

4 Solar Power

4.1 Stellar Fusion

4.2 Blackbody Radiation

4.3 Solar Radiation and Its Interaction with Earth

4.4 Geothermal Energy

4.5 Solar Heaters

4.6 Heat Engines: Converting Heat into Work

5 Semiconductor Solar Cells

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Semiconductors

5.3 The p–n Junction

5.4 Semiconductor Solar Cells

6 WIND POWER

6.1 A Brief History of Wind Power

6.2 Origin and Directions of the Wind

6.3 The Flow of Ideal Fluids

6.4 Extraction of Wind Power by a Turbine

6.5 Wind Turbine Design and Principal Components

6.6 Siting of a Wind Turbine

7 Water Power

7.1 Hydroelectric Power

7.2 Wave Power

7.3 Tidal Power

8 Energy Storage

8.1 Types of Energy Storage

8.2 Chemical Energy Storage

8.3 Thermal Energy Storage

8.4 Mechanical Energy Storage

8.5 Electrical Energy Storage

8.6 Distribution of Electrical Power

Index