How to Benefit From Gravity As An Energy Source?
To benefit from gravity as an energy source is nothing new to humans. We’ve used gravity to store potential energy in the form of water dams, and other similar applications. But in the more recent years, with the advancement of science and technologies, human beings have developed finer methods of benefiting from gravity as an energy source. This article explores the origins and possibilities in terms of harnessing gravity for energy, and where the future might take us in this field.
Understanding Gravitational Energy
Gravitational energy is defined as the energy available from gravitation. It is the potential energy that exists in the gravitational field of objects, which are caused by gravitational force. Gravitational energy can be converted to other forms of energy, including kinetic energy (the movement of objects), thermal energy (heat), and electromagnetic radiation. Gravitational energy is also equivalent to the amount of work required to elevate an object against a gravitational force.
The earth’s gravitational field has a very strong effect on us, especially when we consider the fact that it provides us with our daily dose of oxygen. But while humans have utilized gravity for their benefit for centuries, only the past few decades have seen intensive research directed towards harnessing gravity as an alternative source of clean, renewable energy.
The Origins of Gravitational Energy Generation
The first human application for using gravity as a source of energy was potentially in stone-age humans living in caves. At some point, they discovered that if they piled up rocks on top of each other, they could trap heat within caves, thus creating warmth that would otherwise be lost. This application has been used since then by human beings all over the world, and still remains one of the most commonly used techniques for retaining heat in homes and buildings today.
