Describe and explain all the possible energy transformations that occur with a dishwasher that uses electrical energy.
Answers
Heat
Heat energy, also referred to as thermal energy, is really the effect of moving molecules. Matter is made up of molecules, which are in continual motion and in a solid, vibrate about a mean position. The motion of any molecule increases when the energy of the substance is increased. This may cause an increase in the temperature of the substance or lead to a change of state. The higher the temperature, the greater the internal energy of the substance.
Heat energy is the most easily lost or dissipated form of energy. It is also the form of energy into which other forms of energy can easily change. However, heat can be changed into other forms of energy with a lot of waste.also called Solar Energy
Light
Sunset: Image provided by courtesy of Flickr- www.flickr.com
Light energy is a type of wave motion. That is, light is a form of energy caused by light waves. It enables us to see, as objects are only visible when they reflect light into our eyes.
Sound
Sound energy is also a type of wave motion. We are heard by others when we talk because of the sound energy we produce. It is due to the effect of the air molecules vibrating when we talk. The vibrating molecules hit our eardrums, which enable us to hear others talk. Sound energy may be converted into electrical energy for transmission, and later the electrical energy can be converted back into sound energy at the receiving end. An example of such transformations could be seen in the microphone and the loudspeaker.
Sound, like heat energy is easily lost. The transformation of one form of energy into another may be accompanied by losses in the form of sound and/or heat that are often not desirable.
Electrical Energy
Transmission of electrical energy: Image provided by courtesy of Flickr- www.flickr.com
Electrical energy is really the effect of moving electrical charges from one point to another in a conductor. Electrical charges moving through a conductor is called electricity. Electrical energy may be easily changed into other forms of energy to suit our particular needs. Lightning is an example of electrical energy. Electric current is the means by which electrical energy is most easily transported to places where it is needed and converted into other forms.
Chemical Energy
This is the energy stored within chemical compounds. A chemical compound is formed by the rearrangement of atoms that is accompanied by energy loss or gain. This energy is the chemical energy gained or lost in the formation of the compound.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy, also known as atomic energy, is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. It is this energy that holds the nucleus together and could be released when the nuclei are combined (fusion) or split (fission) apart. Nuclear energy can be used for peaceful purpose as well as destructive purposes (as in the atomic bomb). Considering peaceful purposes, nuclear energy is used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants, produce steam for driving machines, powering some submarines and spacecrafts. In these applications, the nuclei of uranium atoms are split in a process called fission. Nuclear energy is also the source of the sun’s energy. The sun combines the nuclei of hydrogen atoms into helium atoms in a process called fusion.
Mechanical Energy
Mechanical energy is the kind of energy that can do mechanical work directly. Naturally occurring sources of mechanical energy include winds, waterfalls and tides.
There are two kinds of mechanical energy, namely kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy a body possesses by virtue of its motion. A moving body of mass, m Kg and velocity v m/s possesses kinetic energy of magnitudemv2 joules. Thus, the magnitude of the kinetic energy of an object depends both the mass and the velocity of the object. Flowing water and winds have kinetic energy.
Energy Conversion
One important property of energy is its ability to change from one form to another form. For example, chemical energy from fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) can be converted into heat energy when burned. The heat energy may be converted into kinetic energy in a gas turbine and finally into electrical energy by a generator. The electric energy may subsequently be converted into light, sound or kinetic energy in our homes through various household appliances.