Energy, like mass, time, or distance, is one of the basic attributes of the universe. Energy is the ability to do work. Everything you do—in fact, everything that is done in the universe—involves the use or transfer of energy. Earth can be described as a huge machine driven by two heat engines—one external and one internal. Earth's external engine—the one that drives most Earth surface processes—is powered mainly by energy from the sun. Heat from the interior of Earth and the resulting mechanical energy powers Earth's internal heat engine. Homework, assignment help in earth scienceat gives a detailed idea of all these categorizations


Electromagnetic Energy


Visible light is the type of electromagnetic energy you are probably most familiar with. Visible light waves are the parts of the electromagnetic energy that is radiated by the sun and observed with the human eye.Electromagnetic energy is a type of energy that is radiated, or given off, in the form of transverse waves from all matter not at absolute zero. Absolute zero, that is, 0 Kelvin or -273° Celsius, is theoretically the lowest possible tem perature and the one at which particles of matter have no motion. Transverse waves vibrate at right angles to the direction in which they are moving.


Characteristics and Types of Electromagnetic Energy


Different types of electromagnetic energy are distinguished by their different wavelengths. The wavelength is the distance from one crest of a wave to the next crest. A wavelength may also be described as the distance between any two corre sponding points on successive cycles. Any model that shows the types of electromagnetic energy is known as an electro magnetic spectrum.

Visible light is the only part of the electromag netic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye. Infrared energy is often felt due to its heating effects. Instruments must be used to observe most forms of electromagnetic energy, including ultravi olet energy, which tans or burns the skin. Electromagnetic energy can be separated into two groups by comparing its wavelengths to those of visible light. Electromagnetic energy with a wave length longer than visible light is called long-wave electromagnetic energy. Electromagnetic energy with a wavelength shorter than visible light is called a short wave. Some scientists include visible light as a type of short-wave radiation.



Interactions Between Electromagnetic Energy and an Environment


When electromagnetic energy comes in contact with a material, the waves interact with the mate rial. The waves may be

·                refracted, or bent, in their passage through materials of varying density so that the direc tion of the waves is changed

·                reflected, or bounced off the material

·                scattered, or refracted and/or reflected in vari ous directions

·                transmitted, or passed through the material

·                absorbed, or taken into the material



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