Chemical Energy: Definition, Examples, Types, Sample Questions

Chemical energy is the energy that is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds. It may be released during a chemical reaction, often in the form of heat; such reactions are called exothermic. Although there are ample forms of energy, the two main types of energy are potential energy - the stored energy and kinetic energy - the energy of motion. Further, the potential energy can either be gravitational, positional, elastic or when something is compressed or stretched to increase its potential energy. Moreover, there are many subdivisions of it like nuclear energy, mechanical energy, electrical energy, radiant energy, and thermal energy, and one of them is chemical energy.

Checkout Important Question: What are the five types of energy?

Key Takeaways: Energy, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Chemical Energy, Chemical Potential Energy, Synthesis, Combustion.

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What is Chemical Energy?

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Chemical energy is the most critical energy reserve and one type among the other stored energy or potential energy in an object. Being a type of potential energy, it is stored between molecules and atoms as a chemical bond. When these bonds are broken or formed in the presence of reactants, the chemical energy is absorbed or released. So, the creation of a new substance due to the forming or breaking of a bond is known as a chemical reaction. As the breaking and forming of chemical bonds anticipate energy to kickstart the transition from potential energy to chemical energy, can be harnessed as chemical potential energy.

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Chemical Energy in Everyday Life

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• Plants need solar energy in order to produce sugar from carbon dioxide to water. Sugar, water and carbon dioxide stay together by chemical bonds and hold the chemicals together.
• For instance, all sugars involve oxygen, carbon and hydrogen atoms that are held together by chemical bonds. These atoms do not connect together automatically; instead some energy is responsible to make them stay together.
• Plants use solar energy in order to put the hydrogen, the carbon and the oxygen atoms together in the form of sugar. This is a suitable example of energy transformation where energy is transformed from one form to another. Here, solar energy is transformed into chemical energy to prevent it from falling apart.

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Chemical Energy Examples

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There are countless examples related to chemical energy surrounding us in our everyday lives. The following are the five out of many that are most likely familiar with:

1. To provide energy chemical compounds present in food are broken down by our bodies.
2. To generate light and heat propane is burned.
3. To store chemical energy by car batteries in order to release electrical energy.

1. To create an explosion in gaseous form unstable compounds are easily and quickly rearranged to produce heat and light. 
2. To release energy and light molecules and atoms are restructured by combustion engines.

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Types of Chemical Reactions 

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The types of chemical reactions are many that can be categorized broadly into six groups, which are as follows:

1. When two simple compounds are combined to form a complex matter is known as synthesis.
2. Oxygen combines various elements to produce heat by converting it to water and carbon dioxide is called combustion.
3. Transferring atoms from one substance to another substance during a chemical reaction is named as single displacement.

1. When the exchange of atoms occurs from one material with atoms of another substance is known as double displacement.
2. Breaking down complex substances into simpler ones through a chemical reaction is called decomposition.
3. When there is a reaction with the involvement of a base and an acid, similar to a double replacement chemical reaction, is named acid-base.

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Things to Remember

• Chemical energy is stored energy in the bonds of chemical components. When a chemical reaction occurs, the chemical is released resulting in the creation and production of the new substance.
• An exothermic reaction is one that generates heat upon completion as a byproduct. It transfers energy from its sources to its ambient components, causing them to experience warm-up temperature increases.
• An endothermic reaction is the opposite or inverse of an exothermic chemical reaction. It makes the surroundings cooler by absorbing the energy around.
• When a material is made to vibrate, sound energy is transmitted. Sound energy is emitted in two ways, like waves. It requires a medium like wood, water, air, and metal to get through.