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Which of the following is the best example of the first law of thermodynamics? a. a body getting warmer after exercise b. a piece of fruit spoiling in the fridge c. a power plant burning coal and producing electricity d. an exothermic chemical reaction

Short Answer

Expert verified
Option c: A power plant burning coal and producing electricity.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the First Law of Thermodynamics

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred or changed from one form to another.
02

Analyze Each Option

Evaluate each option to see how it relates to the transfer or conversion of energy:
03

Option a Analysis

Option a: A body getting warmer after exercise involves metabolic energy converting to thermal energy.
04

Option b Analysis

Option b: A piece of fruit spoiling in the fridge primarily involves biological and chemical processes, not explicitly illustrating energy conservation.
05

Option c Analysis

Option c: A power plant burning coal and producing electricity shows chemical energy converting to thermal energy and then to electrical energy, demonstrating the transformation of energy clearly.
06

Option d Analysis

Option d: An exothermic chemical reaction releases energy, but does not as clearly illustrate the principle of energy transformation as option c.
07

Choosing the Best Example

Option c is the best example because it most clearly shows the transformation and conservation of energy as described by the first law of thermodynamics.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

energy conservation
Energy conservation is a critical idea within the first law of thermodynamics. The law tells us that energy in a closed system remains constant. It can neither be created nor destroyed. Instead, energy can only change forms, allowing for various processes to occur.
  • For example, when you exercise, the food you eat breaks down in your body to produce metabolic energy. This energy converts to thermal energy, causing your body to warm up.
  • Another instance of energy conservation is in cooking food. The chemical energy in the gas or electricity transforms to heat energy, cooking the food without creating or destroying energy.
These examples align with how energy conservation works in real-life scenarios, demonstrating the importance of understanding this principle.
energy transformation
Energy transformation is a pivotal concept in thermodynamics. It refers to the change of energy from one form to another. This principle is showcased in the options given in the exercise. For instance, when a power plant burns coal (Option c), it converts the chemical energy stored in coal to thermal energy. The thermal energy then generates steam, which drives turbines to produce electrical energy.
  • Another example is photosynthesis in plants. Light energy from the sun is transformed into chemical energy stored in glucose.
  • In everyday items, batteries store chemical energy, which transforms into electrical energy to power devices.
Understanding energy transformation helps us appreciate the various ways energy can be utilized and managed efficiently.
thermodynamics principles
Thermodynamics principles provide a framework for understanding how energy behaves in various systems. The first law, as mentioned, focuses on energy conservation and transformation. Here are some key points:
  • The concept of an isolated system, which neither gains nor loses energy to its surroundings, is central to these principles.
  • In real-life applications, systems might not be perfectly isolated, but the principle still applies within the system's boundaries.
  • The first law connects to other principles, such as the second law, which talks about the increase of entropy or disorder in an isolated system.
  • Engineering and scientific developments, like designing efficient engines and studying planetary energy cycles, rely heavily on thermodynamics principles.
These ideas underline the universal nature of thermodynamics, applicable from microscopic particles to large-scale industrial processes.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

How do chemical reactions play a role in energy transfer? a. Energy from the breakdown of glucose and other molecules in animals is released as ATP, which transfer energy to other reactions. b. Energy from the breakdown of glucose and other molecules in animals is released in the form of NADP, which transfers energy to other reactions. c. Energy is released in the form of glucose from the breakdown of ATP molecules. These ATP molecules transfer energy from one reaction to other. d. Energy is released in the form of water from the breakdown of glucose. These molecules transfer energy from one reaction to other.

What part of ATP is broken to release energy for use in chemical reactions? a. the adenosine molecule b. the bond between the first and second phosphates c. the bond between the first phosphate and the adenosine molecule d.the bond between the second and third phosphates

What happens if an enzyme is not functioning in a chemical reaction in a living organism that needs it? a. The reaction stops. b. The reaction proceeds, but much more slowly. c. The reaction proceeds faster without the interference. d. There is no change in the reaction rate.

Why is ATP considered the energy currency of the cell? a. It accepts energy from chemical reactions. b. It holds energy at the site of release from substrates. c. It is a protein. d. It can transport energy to locations within the cell.

Enzymes facilitate chemical reactions that result in changes to a substrate. How does the induced fit model of enzymes and substrates explain their function? a. Both enzyme and substrate undergo dynamic changes, inducing the transitions state of the substrate. b. The enzyme induces a change in the substrate, but is not changed itself during the reaction. c. The substrates attach to the enzyme and the chemical reaction proceeds. d. The enzyme changes shape to fit the substrate causing the transition state to occur.

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