Tell-A-Tale (Part 27): Energy And Matcha Shortbread

From the law of energy conservation, we know that energy can only be transferred but not destroyed. In general, it starts with a potential energy, follow by kinetic energy and subsequently, transforms into sound, light and heat, among others.

As the night falls, the level of energy is greatly reduced, with light being the most obvious of them all. So, in accordance with the fundamental law of physics, in where and how is it conserved?

It’s amazing how an instrument consisting of six strings of different diameters and a hollowed wood body is able to produce some of the most interesting harmonics the human eardrum can resonate to; in the 70 to 1000 Hz range. In the case of an acoustic guitar, the beating of the soundboard adds to a more diverse range of Hertz.

In the reversible cycle of energies, the sequence of energy transfer must have been as follows:

Potential energy <---> Kinetic energy <---> Sound <---> X

“X” is rather complicated, I must say. To the tune of Eleanor Rigby, one may feel a need to tap one’s feet. That’s kinetic. I imagine a surge of kinetic energy if Nirvana’s Come As You Are and Lithium are played. Ballads usually result in an overflow of emotions that go beyond quantifiable energies. So, how do we measure that?

As complicated as it sounds, these are just complexes of fundamental energies such as heat, kinetic, electromagnet and sound. But of course, there is more to this and it requires good knowledge in biology in order to interpret the different emotions human reacts to, at different levels and types of energy.

Here’s a simpler equation that everyone can relate to:

Kinetic energy <---> Sound + Heat + Chemical energy <---> Potential energy

In other words, eating.

A layer of orange marmalade sandwiched between two pieces of matcha shortbread. Use castor sugar instead of the coarse type (chop nuts instead for a crunchy texture). Eat when it has completely cooled off. Apply more dense flavours like coffee or chocolate instead of matcha in the next attempt. Top it with a layer of icing sugar for extra sweetness.

I imagine a warm, windy night, with pieces of shortbread and amazing audiological spectrums. Energies will not be lost. In fact, they will be very much contained. And will lead to a something called wonderful.

Imagine.

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Note:

The basic shortbread recipe was provided by the fantastic FatBoyBakes. He really makes baking fun and interesting. Thanks, man!

Click here for his shortbread recipe.