Humanity's Energy Needs: Humankind's total annual energy need is approximately 4 x 10^20 J. a) What is this in Watts? b) The solar energy reaching the Earth is ~340 W/m^2. If we could collect 100% of the energy hitting 1/20th (5%) of the Earth's surface, and Earth's surface is 5x10^14 m^2, show that we could collect enough energy to meet all of humankind's annual energy needs in less than 12 hours. c) Alternatively, if we wanted to provide all of humankind's energy needs with wind power, how many 100 MW wind farms are needed? (Assume constant average energy use and no efficiency losses.)
Humanity's Energy Needs: Humankind's total annual energy need is approximately 4 x 10^20 J. a) What is this in Watts? b) The solar energy reaching the Earth is ~340 W/m^2. If we could collect 100% of the energy hitting 1/20th (5%) of the Earth's surface, and Earth's surface is 5x10^14 m^2, show that we could collect enough energy to meet all of humankind's annual energy needs in less than 12 hours. c) Alternatively, if we wanted to provide all of humankind's energy needs with wind power, how many 100 MW wind farms are needed? (Assume constant average energy use and no efficiency losses.)
Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems, Student Edition
1st Edition
ISBN:9780078807213
Author:Paul W. Zitzewitz
Publisher:Paul W. Zitzewitz
Chapter11: Energy And Its Conservation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 99A
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Humanity's Energy Needs: Humankind's total annual energy need is approximately 4 x 10^20 J.
a) What is this in Watts?
b) The solar energy reaching the Earth is ~340 W/m^2. If we could collect 100% of the energy hitting 1/20th (5%) of the Earth's surface, and Earth's surface is 5x10^14 m^2, show that we could collect enough energy to meet all of humankind's annual energy needs in less than 12 hours.
c) Alternatively, if we wanted to provide all of humankind's energy needs with wind power, how many 100 MW wind farms are needed? (Assume constant average energy use and no efficiency losses.)
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