/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 11 Energy is conserved, so why can'... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 19: Problem 11

Energy is conserved, so why can't we recycle it as we do materials?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Though energy is conserved, it cannot be recycled in the same way as materials due to its degradation in quality with each transformation or transfer, as explained by the second law of thermodynamics. Each time energy changes form, some of it is converted into a less useful form, typically heat, which is not fully recoverable or reusable.

Step by step solution

01

Conservation of Energy

According to the first law of thermodynamics, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. This is known as energy conservation. It means that the total quantity of energy in a closed system remains constant.
02

Transformation and Degradation of Energy

Although the total amount of energy is conserved, each time it is transferred or transformed, some of it is converted into a form that is less useful, typically heat. This is explained by the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the entropy of an isolated system always increases. In other words, energy tends to spread out and become less concentrated, reducing its potential for doing work.
03

Energy Recycling Limitations

These principles make energy recycling different from material recycling. While materials can be collected and reprocessed into new products, reusing energy is not as straightforward. The degradation of energy quality implies that a part of the energy becomes unavailable for doing work. Although the heat energy can be partly captured and reused in some processes (like in heat engines or co-generation systems), a portion of it will inevitably be lost.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The human body can be \(25 \%\) efficient at converting chemical energy of fuel to mechanical work. Can the body be considered a heat engine, operating on the temperature difference between body temperature and the environment?

A cosmic heat engine might operate between the Sun's \(5800 \mathrm{K}\) surface and the \(2.7 \mathrm{K}\) temperature of intergalactic space. What would be its maximum efficiency?

For a gas of six molecules confined to a box, find the probability that (a) all the molecules will be found on one side of the box and (b) half the molecules will be found on each side.

A reversible Carnot engine operating between helium's melting point and its \(4.25 \mathrm{K}\) boiling point has an efficiency of \(77.7 \%\) What's the melting point?

Could you heat the kitchen by leaving the oven open? Explain.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Read Explanation

Measurements

Read Explanation

Fundamentals of Physics

Read Explanation

Astrophysics

Read Explanation

Electricity

Read Explanation

Particle Model of Matter

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.