Energy is defined as the capability of a system to do work. Energy comes in different forms. It may emerge in the form of heat, light, kinetic or mechanical energy, potential energy, or electrical energy. Each energy type has its own characteristics and purpose. Each also has the capability to undergo a process wherein it changes from one form to another which can be used for other purposes. Such is called energy transformation. An example could be the change from chemical energy to heat through the use of an internal combustion engine, exhibited by the burning diesel in a running automobile.
2-Give a brief history of the different methods of energy conversion.
The history of energy conversion or transformation may be derived from the fundamental law of thermodynamics which states that the total energy of the universe is fixed.
James Prescott Joule, an English physicist, was one of the first scientists to apply and prove the concept of energy transformation qualitatively and quantitatively thru an experiment. During the said test, he was able to found out that any type of energy may be transformed into a different form. This led to the development of the first law of thermodynamics, more aptly called as, the Law of Conservation of Energy. Simply said, Law of Conservation of Energy or the fundamental law of thermodynamics says that energy can not be created nor destroyed it can only be converted from one form to another. Such conversion may only happen by utilizing a triggering device.
The windmill is one of the popular and contemporary means to transform energy. The use of the windmill converts the wind energy into mechanical energy which can be used in industrial processes. Other triggering devices include but are not limited to generators, turbines, furnaces, and heaters.
3-Advantages and disadvantages (in terms of efficiency and power obtained).Each energy transformation method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Electricity, for instance, is one of the most popular end-products of energy transformation. There are different types of energy that can be used to produce electricity. Such includes chemical energy from coal, heat energy from steam, wind energy from wind turbines, and solar energy from solar power towers. Each conversion type has its own efficiency, depending on the amount of usable output produced per amount of raw material being inputted. From these various energy types, it is most efficient to generate electricity through the use of geothermal energy from power plants. It is also efficient to produce electricity through the use of tidal energy. These two are the most efficient methods to produce electricity because the input or raw materials needed to produce the product are easily accessible, available and inexpensive and during the process of transformation, only a small portion of the input is converted to waste. Albeit the high efficiency of energy transformation, such is inversely proportional to the cost of production. This means that the higher the efficiency of the energy conversion, the more expensive and the more impractical it is to convert. In order to convert energy at high efficiency, it is needed to invest in machinery, in quality raw materials and in upgraded processes and components.
It is least efficient to generate electricity using solar energy and geothermal energy.
Looking at the other types of energy, Heat is the most efficient energy to be transformed. Such produces up to 95 efficiency. One of the least efficient is photosynthesis which produces an efficiency of up to 6 only. 4-The application of different energy conversion methods.
Each type of energy may be generated through the conversion of different types of energy. As stated previously, electrical energy in the form of electricity may be produced through transforming either wind energy, solar energy, or geothermal energy. Furthermore, energy conversion does not stop after a single process. Such is a continuous and an endless procedure.
For instance, consider the following system Heaps of coal being fed to a furnace. The furnace is connected to a generator. Generator is connected to a power line. Power line is connected to an electrical appliance inside the house. In this type of system, there are different types of energy transformation that may happen in order to produce electricity.
Coal currently has chemical energy stored in it. When fed to the furnace and burned, the chemical energy is converted and is released as heat and light energy. The heat energy released by the coal shall be used to produce steam and shall be converted into mechanical energy when it passes through a generator. The generator shall also serve as a medium which shall convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Electrical energy shall be then allowed to travel through power lines to the different electrical appliances inside your house.
2-Give a brief history of the different methods of energy conversion.
The history of energy conversion or transformation may be derived from the fundamental law of thermodynamics which states that the total energy of the universe is fixed.
James Prescott Joule, an English physicist, was one of the first scientists to apply and prove the concept of energy transformation qualitatively and quantitatively thru an experiment. During the said test, he was able to found out that any type of energy may be transformed into a different form. This led to the development of the first law of thermodynamics, more aptly called as, the Law of Conservation of Energy. Simply said, Law of Conservation of Energy or the fundamental law of thermodynamics says that energy can not be created nor destroyed it can only be converted from one form to another. Such conversion may only happen by utilizing a triggering device.
The windmill is one of the popular and contemporary means to transform energy. The use of the windmill converts the wind energy into mechanical energy which can be used in industrial processes. Other triggering devices include but are not limited to generators, turbines, furnaces, and heaters.
3-Advantages and disadvantages (in terms of efficiency and power obtained).Each energy transformation method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Electricity, for instance, is one of the most popular end-products of energy transformation. There are different types of energy that can be used to produce electricity. Such includes chemical energy from coal, heat energy from steam, wind energy from wind turbines, and solar energy from solar power towers. Each conversion type has its own efficiency, depending on the amount of usable output produced per amount of raw material being inputted. From these various energy types, it is most efficient to generate electricity through the use of geothermal energy from power plants. It is also efficient to produce electricity through the use of tidal energy. These two are the most efficient methods to produce electricity because the input or raw materials needed to produce the product are easily accessible, available and inexpensive and during the process of transformation, only a small portion of the input is converted to waste. Albeit the high efficiency of energy transformation, such is inversely proportional to the cost of production. This means that the higher the efficiency of the energy conversion, the more expensive and the more impractical it is to convert. In order to convert energy at high efficiency, it is needed to invest in machinery, in quality raw materials and in upgraded processes and components.
It is least efficient to generate electricity using solar energy and geothermal energy.
Looking at the other types of energy, Heat is the most efficient energy to be transformed. Such produces up to 95 efficiency. One of the least efficient is photosynthesis which produces an efficiency of up to 6 only. 4-The application of different energy conversion methods.
Each type of energy may be generated through the conversion of different types of energy. As stated previously, electrical energy in the form of electricity may be produced through transforming either wind energy, solar energy, or geothermal energy. Furthermore, energy conversion does not stop after a single process. Such is a continuous and an endless procedure.
For instance, consider the following system Heaps of coal being fed to a furnace. The furnace is connected to a generator. Generator is connected to a power line. Power line is connected to an electrical appliance inside the house. In this type of system, there are different types of energy transformation that may happen in order to produce electricity.
Coal currently has chemical energy stored in it. When fed to the furnace and burned, the chemical energy is converted and is released as heat and light energy. The heat energy released by the coal shall be used to produce steam and shall be converted into mechanical energy when it passes through a generator. The generator shall also serve as a medium which shall convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Electrical energy shall be then allowed to travel through power lines to the different electrical appliances inside your house.
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