The humble atom is the fundamental building block of all normal matter.<\/p>\n
Hydrogen, where single electrons orbit individual protons, composes ~90% of all atoms.<\/p>\n
Quantum mechanically, electrons only occupy specific energy levels.<\/p>\n
Atomic and molecular transitions between those levels absorbs and\/or releases energy.<\/p>\n
Energetic transitions have many causes: photon absorption, molecular collisions, atomic bond breaking\/forming, etc.<\/p>\n
Chemical energy powers most human endeavors: through coal, oil, gas, wind, hydroelectric, and solar power.<\/p>\n
The most energy-efficient chemical reactions convert merely ~0.000001% of their mass into energy.<\/p>\n
However, atomic nuclei offer superior options.<\/p>\n
Containing 99.95% of an atoms mass, bonds between protons and neutrons involve significantly greater energies.<\/p>\n
Nuclear fission, for example, converts ~0.09% of the fissionable mass into pure energy.<\/p>\n
Fusing hydrogen into helium achieves even greater efficiencies.<\/p>\n
For every four protons that fuse into helium-4, ~0.7% of the initial mass is converted into energy.<\/p>\n
Nuclear power universally outstrips electron transitions for energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
Still, the atoms greatest source of energy is rest mass, extractable via Einsteins E = mc2.<\/p>\n
Matter-antimatter annihilation is 100% efficient, converting mass completely into energy.<\/p>\n
Practically unlimited energy is locked within every atom; the key is to safely and reliably extract it.<\/p>\n
Mostly Mute Monday tells an astronomical story in images, visuals, and no more than 200 words. Talk less; smile more.<\/p>\n
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Read this article:<\/p>\n
The 3 types of energy stored within every atom - Big Think<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The humble atom is the fundamental building block of all normal matter. Hydrogen, where single electrons orbit individual protons, composes ~90% of all atoms. Continue reading