Chapter 9, Problem 23A

To determine

The ultimate source of energy derived from the burning of fossil fuels, dams and windmills.

Answer to Problem 23A

Sun is the ultimate source of energy derived from the burning of fossil fuel, from dam and from windmill

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Fossil fuel, windmill and dam are the energy sources available which provides the most useable form of the energy.

Fossil fuel contains coal, oil which used in the power plant to drive the large turbines. Coal or oil creates heat energy used to produce the steam which drives the turbine to produce the electricity. So in this case chemical energy of fossil fuel is converted into the electricity. It generates around 65% of total electricity in the worldwide. So the fossil fuel is made up of buried plant which is inside the earth. And for plant sun provides energy in the form of light for the photosynthesis process. So, ultimate source of energy from the fossil fuel is sun.

Potential energy from the water can be used to produce the energy. Water stored in large volume dam can used to drive large turbine to produce electricity. Electricity worldwide provided by hydroelectric plant is around, 16% of total electricity. Water available on the earth is through the process of water cycle. In water cycle water from the cloud come to the ground and again due to evaporation process this water goes back and form the clouds. So heating the water and making the evaporation requires heat energy. That heat energy provides from the sun. So, the ultimate source of the energy from the dam is sun.

Another source of energy is windmills. Kinetic energy of air is utilized for the production of energy in the form of electricity. Energy production rate from windmill is proportional to the speed of the air. Basically wind is produced due to the temperature difference is created. Due to temperature difference air from hot region flows to the cold region. So production of this temperature difference is the key step to produce the energy from the windmill. So, ultimate source of energy from windmill is sun.

Conclusion:

Sun is the ultimate source of energy derived from the burning of fossil fuel, from dam and from windmill.