-
Asked by gallifreyanhippo to Aled, Ellie, Fiona, Kev, Willem on 13 Mar 2014.
-
Willem Heijltjes answered on 13 Mar 2014:
Hi Galli! Good work keeping up the questions!
Well, perhaps you can answer this one yourself: is there energy in these things? What happens when this energy is released, but no-one is there to use it? (Normally, unused energy becomes heat…)
The idea of a parallel universe is perhaps the most interesting. But it doesn’t say exactly *what* the source of energy is – this must be something *in* the parallel universe… But then, isn’t it easier to use energy from *this* universe? There’s plenty 😉 And why doesn’t something else in the parallel universe use the energy?
So, what do you think? Is it possible?
-
-
Kevin Arbuckle answered on 14 Mar 2014:
If we consider what we call food (mostly plants, animals and fungi) then absolutely! One good example of this are species that we call ‘lithotrophs’, which means ‘rock-eaters’. There are a few bacteria that are lithotrophs and basically feed by breaking down minerals and getting energy from (feeding on) the breakdown-products.
-
Aled Roberts answered on 17 Mar 2014:
Excellent question!
Depends what you count as energy. The other scientists have given good answers! I’d like to think that we get some energy from a smile! Even if it is small and not enough to last long… we can still get a kick from a smile!
So remember! Keep smiling! You could give someone energy to go on!
🙂
-
Fiona Heesen answered on 18 Mar 2014:
Hello!
Great question! Like Aled mentioned, it really depends on what you count as energy – it can come from many things depending on who is consuming it. I think the lithotrophs that Kevin mentioned are a good point – they get their energy from places that many organisms wouldn’t consider.
Fiona
Comments
gallifreyanhippo commented on :
Maybe because there might be more energy to get from the parallel universe… As in, there might be energy just from getting to it…?
gallifreyanhippo commented on :
Aww, smile energy! That sounds so cute! :3