Energy loss - Revision history

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energy>Jmdonev at 17:04, 25 February 2020

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	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-09-06]]		[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]
	[[File:640px-Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. Energy losses in an incandescent light bulb are very large; most of the input energy is lost in the form of heat energy.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (May 27, 2015). ''Incandescent Light Bulb'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg#/media/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:640px-Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. Energy losses in an incandescent light bulb are very large; most of the input energy is lost in the form of heat energy.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (May 27, 2015). ''Incandescent Light Bulb'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg#/media/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg</ref>]]

	<onlyinclude>When [[energy]] is transformed from one form to another, or moved from one place to another, or from one system to another there is ~~some~~ '''energy loss'''. This means that when energy is converted to a different form, some of the input energy is turned into a highly disordered form of energy, like heat.</onlyinclude> Functionally, turning all of the input energy into the output energy is nigh impossible, unless one is deliberately turning energy into heat (like in a [[heater]]). As well, whenever [[electrical energy]] is [[electrical transmission\|transported through power lines]], the energy into the power lines is always more than the energy that comes out at the other end. Energy losses are what prevent processes from ever being 100% [[efficiency\|efficient]].		<onlyinclude>When [[energy]] is transformed from one form to another, or moved from one place to another, or from one system to another there is '''energy loss'''. This means that when [[energy]] is converted to a different form, some of the input energy is turned into a highly disordered form of energy, like [[heat]].</onlyinclude> Functionally, turning all of the input energy into the output energy is nigh impossible, unless one is deliberately turning energy into heat (like in a [[heater]]). As well, whenever [[electrical energy]] is [[electrical transmission\|transported through power lines]], the energy into the power lines is always more than the energy that comes out at the other end. Energy losses are what prevent processes from ever being 100% [[efficiency\|efficient]].

	==Types of Energy Losses==		==Types of Energy Losses==
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	==Energy Lost in Electricity Use==		==Energy Lost in Electricity Use==
	[[Electricity]] use is a good example that illustrates energy loss in a system. By the time the energy associated with electric [[power]] reaches the user, it has taken many forms. Initially, the process begins with the creation of the electricity through some method. For example, the burning of [[coal]] in a [[coal-fired power plant\|power plant]] takes the [[chemical energy]] stored in the coal and releases it through combustion, creating heat that produces [[steam]]. From here the steam moves [[turbine]]s and the [[mechanical energy]] here turns a [[generator]] to produce electricity. A typical coal fired electrical plant is around 38% efficient,<ref name="RE1"/> so ~1/3 of the initial energy content of the fuel is transformed into a ~~useable~~ form of energy while the rest is lost. Further losses occur during the transport of this electricity. In the [[electrical transmission\|transmission]] and [[distribution grid\|distribution]] of electricity in the United States, the EIA estimates that about 6% of the electricity is lost in these processes.<ref>EIA. (May 27, 2015). ''Electricity Losses'' [Online]. Available: http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=105&t=3</ref> Finally, the electricity reaches its destination. This electricity could reach an incandescent [[light bulb]] wherein a thin [[wire]] is heated until it glows, with a significant amount of energy being lost as heat. The resulting light contains only about 2% of the energy content of the coal used to produce it.<ref name="RE1"/> Changing to [[CFL light bulb]]s can improve this by about 4x, but that only takes it up to 8% of the initial chemical energy in the coal.		[[Electricity]] use is a good example that illustrates energy loss in a system. By the time the energy associated with electric [[power]] reaches the user, it has taken many forms. Initially, the process begins with the creation of the electricity through some method. For example, the burning of [[coal]] in a [[coal-fired power plant\|power plant]] takes the [[chemical energy]] stored in the coal and releases it through combustion, creating heat that produces [[steam]]. From here the steam moves [[turbine]]s and the [[mechanical energy]] here turns a [[generator]] to produce electricity. A typical coal fired electrical plant is around 38% efficient,<ref name="RE1"/> so ~1/3 of the initial energy content of the fuel is transformed into a usable form of energy while the rest is lost. Further losses occur during the transport of this electricity. In the [[electrical transmission\|transmission]] and [[distribution grid\|distribution]] of electricity in the United States, the EIA estimates that about 6% of the electricity is lost in these processes.<ref>EIA. (May 27, 2015). ''Electricity Losses'' [Online]. Available: http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=105&t=3</ref> Finally, the electricity reaches its destination. This electricity could reach an incandescent [[light bulb]] wherein a thin [[wire]] is heated until it glows, with a significant amount of energy being lost as heat, shown in Figure 1. The resulting light contains only about 2% of the energy content of the coal used to produce it.<ref name="RE1"/> Changing to [[CFL light bulb]]s can improve this by about 4x, but that only takes it up to 8% of the initial chemical energy in the coal.

	[[Fuel]]s have enormous energy contents, but very little actually ends up as usable energy and most is lost. These energy losses result in extremely inefficient processes, some of these come from fundamental limitations like the [[second law of thermodynamics]], but some provide opportunities for better engineering.		[[Fuel]]s have enormous energy contents, but very little actually ends up as usable energy and most is lost. These energy losses result in extremely inefficient processes, some of these come from fundamental limitations like the [[second law of thermodynamics]], but some provide opportunities for better engineering.

	==Energy Lost in Vehicles==		==Energy Lost in Vehicles==
	There are also significant energy losses within a car's [[internal combustion engine]]. The chemical energy from the [[gasoline]] (or [[diesel]]) - which originates from the [[Sun]] as it is a [[fossil fuel]] - is then converted into heat energy, which presses on [[piston]]s in the engine. The mechanical energy is then transported to the wheels which increases the kinetic energy of the car. Some of this kinetic energy is lost to the sound of the engine, light from combustion, and to heat energy from the friction between the road and the tires. Current vehicles are only able to use around 20% of the energy content of the fuel as power, the rest is lost.<ref name="RE1"/> Although efficiencies can be improved, they can only be increased to a degree because of principles of [[thermodynamics]].		There are also significant energy losses within a car's [[internal combustion engine]]. The [[chemical energy]] from the [[gasoline]] (or [[diesel]]) - which originates from the [[Sun]] as it is a [[fossil fuel]] - is then converted into heat energy, which presses on [[piston]]s in the engine. The [[mechanical energy]] is then transported to the wheels which increases the [[kinetic energy]] of the car. Some of this kinetic energy is lost to the sound of the engine, light from combustion, and to heat energy from the friction between the road and the tires. Current vehicles are only able to use around 20% of the energy content of the fuel as power, the rest is lost.<ref name="RE1"/> An example of these energy losses is shown in Figure 2. Although efficiencies can be improved, they can only be increased to a degree because of principles of [[thermodynamics]].

	[[File:energyloss_combined_n.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 2. Energy losses in a gasoline vehicle.<ref>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team. Adapted from: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv.shtml</ref>]]		[[File:energyloss_combined_n.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 2. Energy losses in a gasoline vehicle.<ref>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team. Adapted from: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv.shtml</ref>]]

	Idling, using accessories such as air ~~conditioners~~, and aerodynamic drag can further increase losses in a vehicle.<ref>Consumer Energy Center. (May 27, 2015). ''Energy Losses in a Vehicle'' [Online]. Available: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/transportation/consumer_tips/vehicle_energy_losses.html</ref>		Idling, using accessories such as [[air conditioner]]s, and aerodynamic drag can further increase losses in a vehicle.<ref>Consumer Energy Center. (May 27, 2015). ''Energy Losses in a Vehicle'' [Online]. Available: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/transportation/consumer_tips/vehicle_energy_losses.html</ref>

			==For Further Reading==
			*[[Law of conservation of energy]]
			*[[Heat engine]]
			*[[Heat pump]]
			*[[Energy conversion technology]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]		{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-09-18T16:50:48Z

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Jmdonev at 18:56, 3 September 2015

2015-09-03T18:56:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:56, 3 September 2015
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	[[File:640px-Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. Energy losses in an incandescent light bulb are very large; most of the input energy is lost in the form of heat energy.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (May 27, 2015). ''Incandescent Light Bulb'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg#/media/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:640px-Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. Energy losses in an incandescent light bulb are very large; most of the input energy is lost in the form of heat energy.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (May 27, 2015). ''Incandescent Light Bulb'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg#/media/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg</ref>]]

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	==Energy Lost in Electricity Use==		==Energy Lost in Electricity Use==
	[[Electricity]] use is a good example that illustrates energy loss in a system. By the time the energy associated with electric [[power]] reaches the user, it has taken many forms. Initially, the process begins with the creation of the electricity through some method. For example, the burning of [[coal]] in a [[coal-fired power plant\|power plant]] takes the [[chemical energy]] stored in the coal and releases it through combustion, creating heat that produces [[steam]]. From here the steam moves [[turbine]]s and the [[mechanical energy]] here turns a [[generator]] to produce electricity. A typical coal fired electrical plant is around 38% efficient,<ref name="RE1"/>, so ~1/3 of the initial energy content of the fuel is transformed into a useable form of energy while the rest is lost. Further losses occur during the transport of this electricity. In the transmission and distribution of electricity in the United States, the EIA estimates that about 6% of the electricity is lost in these processes.<ref>EIA. (May 27, 2015). ''Electricity Losses'' [Online]. Available: http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=105&t=3</ref> Finally, the electricity reaches its destination. This electricity could reach an incandescent [[light bulb]] wherein a thin [[wire]] is heated until it glows, with a significant amount of energy being lost as heat. The resulting light contains only about 2% of the energy content of the coal used to produce it.<ref name="RE1"/> Changing to [[CFL light bulb]]s can improve this by about 4x, but that only takes it up to 8% of the initial chemical energy in the coal.		[[Electricity]] use is a good example that illustrates energy loss in a system. By the time the energy associated with electric [[power]] reaches the user, it has taken many forms. Initially, the process begins with the creation of the electricity through some method. For example, the burning of [[coal]] in a [[coal-fired power plant\|power plant]] takes the [[chemical energy]] stored in the coal and releases it through combustion, creating heat that produces [[steam]]. From here the steam moves [[turbine]]s and the [[mechanical energy]] here turns a [[generator]] to produce electricity. A typical coal fired electrical plant is around 38% efficient,<ref name="RE1"/> so ~1/3 of the initial energy content of the fuel is transformed into a useable form of energy while the rest is lost. Further losses occur during the transport of this electricity. In the [[electrical transmission\|transmission]] and [[distribution grid\|distribution]] of electricity in the United States, the EIA estimates that about 6% of the electricity is lost in these processes.<ref>EIA. (May 27, 2015). ''Electricity Losses'' [Online]. Available: http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=105&t=3</ref> Finally, the electricity reaches its destination. This electricity could reach an incandescent [[light bulb]] wherein a thin [[wire]] is heated until it glows, with a significant amount of energy being lost as heat. The resulting light contains only about 2% of the energy content of the coal used to produce it.<ref name="RE1"/> Changing to [[CFL light bulb]]s can improve this by about 4x, but that only takes it up to 8% of the initial chemical energy in the coal.

	[[Fuel]]s have enormous energy contents, but very little actually ends up as usable energy and most is lost. These energy losses result in extremely inefficient processes, some of these come from fundamental limitations like the [[second law of thermodynamics]], but some provide opportunities for better engineering.		[[Fuel]]s have enormous energy contents, but very little actually ends up as usable energy and most is lost. These energy losses result in extremely inefficient processes, some of these come from fundamental limitations like the [[second law of thermodynamics]], but some provide opportunities for better engineering.

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-08-26T21:31:52Z

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J.williams at 18:50, 24 August 2015

2015-08-24T18:50:40Z

New page

[[Category:Done 2015-08-21]]
[[File:640px-Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg|400px|framed|right|Figure 1. Energy losses in an incandescent light bulb are very large; most of the input energy is lost in the form of heat energy.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (May 27, 2015). ''Incandescent Light Bulb'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg#/media/File:Incandescent_light_bulb_on_db.jpg</ref>]]

<onlyinclude>When [[energy]] is transformed from one form to another, or moved from one place to another, or from one system to another there is some '''energy loss'''. This means that when energy is converted to a different form, some of the input energy is turned into a highly disordered form of energy, like heat.</onlyinclude> Functionally, turning all of the input energy into the output energy is nigh impossible, unless one is deliberately turning energy into heat (like in a [[heater]]). As well, whenever [[electrical energy]] is [[electrical transmission|transported through power lines]], the energy into the power lines is always more than the energy that comes out at the other end. Energy losses are what prevent processes from ever being 100% [[efficiency|efficient]].

==Types of Energy Losses==
Energy undergoes many conversions and takes on many different forms as it moves. Every conversion that it undergoes has some associated "loss" of energy. Although this energy doesn't actually disappear, some amount of the initial energy turns into forms that are not usable or we do not want to use.<ref name="RE1">The National Academies. (May 27, 2015). ''Energy Sources''[Online]. Available: http://www.nap.edu/reports/energy/sources.html</ref> Some examples of these losses include:

* '''[[Heat|Heat energy]]''', potentially as a result of [[air drag]] or [[friction]]. Heat energy is the most easily dissipated form of energy.
* '''[[Light|Light energy]]''' is frequently energy seen in [[combustion]], and is a type of [[wave]] motion.
* '''[[Sound|Sound energy]]''' is another type of wave motion caused by the vibration of [[molecule]]s in the [[air]]. Like heat energy, sound is a type of energy that is generally lost.

Overall, the goal is to reduce the amount of energy lost to increase efficiency. As well, collisions that are inelastic refer to collisions where there is some "loss" of energy during the collision.<ref name=hyp>HyperPhysics. (May 27, 2015). ''Inelastic Collisions'' [Online]. Available: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/inecol2.html</ref>

For more information on inelastic collisions, see [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/inecol.html#c1 HyperPhysics].

==Energy Lost in Electricity Use==
[[Electricity]] use is a good example that illustrates energy loss in a system. By the time the energy associated with electric [[power]] reaches the user, it has taken many forms. Initially, the process begins with the creation of the electricity through some method. For example, the burning of [[coal]] in a [[coal-fired power plant|power plant]] takes the [[chemical energy]] stored in the coal and releases it through combustion, creating heat that produces [[steam]]. From here the steam moves [[turbine]]s and the [[mechanical energy]] here turns a [[generator]] to produce electricity. A typical coal fired electrical plant is around 38% efficient,<ref name="RE1"/>, so ~1/3 of the initial energy content of the fuel is transformed into a useable form of energy while the rest is lost. Further losses occur during the transport of this electricity. In the transmission and distribution of electricity in the United States, the EIA estimates that about 6% of the electricity is lost in these processes.<ref>EIA. (May 27, 2015). ''Electricity Losses'' [Online]. Available: http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=105&t=3</ref> Finally, the electricity reaches its destination. This electricity could reach an incandescent [[light bulb]] wherein a thin [[wire]] is heated until it glows, with a significant amount of energy being lost as heat. The resulting light contains only about 2% of the energy content of the coal used to produce it.<ref name="RE1"/> Changing to [[CFL light bulb]]s can improve this by about 4x, but that only takes it up to 8% of the initial chemical energy in the coal.

[[Fuel]]s have enormous energy contents, but very little actually ends up as usable energy and most is lost. These energy losses result in extremely inefficient processes, some of these come from fundamental limitations like the [[second law of thermodynamics]], but some provide opportunities for better engineering.

==Energy Lost in Vehicles==
There are also significant energy losses within a car's [[internal combustion engine]]. The chemical energy from the [[gasoline]] (or [[diesel]]) - which originates from the [[Sun]] as it is a [[fossil fuel]] - is then converted into heat energy, which presses on [[piston]]s in the engine. The mechanical energy is then transported to the wheels which increases the kinetic energy of the car. Some of this kinetic energy is lost to the sound of the engine, light from combustion, and to heat energy from the friction between the road and the tires. Current vehicles are only able to use around 20% of the energy content of the fuel as power, the rest is lost.<ref name="RE1"/> Although efficiencies can be improved, they can only be increased to a degree because of principles of [[thermodynamics]].

[[File:energyloss_combined_n.png|780px|thumb|center|Figure 2. Energy losses in a gasoline vehicle.<ref>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team. Adapted from: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv.shtml</ref>]]

Idling, using accessories such as air conditioners, and aerodynamic drag can further increase losses in a vehicle.<ref>Consumer Energy Center. (May 27, 2015). ''Energy Losses in a Vehicle'' [Online]. Available: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/transportation/consumer_tips/vehicle_energy_losses.html</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]