- (C) In a fossil fuel power plant, the chemical energy stored in chemical
bonds in the fossil fuels (such as coal, fuel oil, or natural gas) and oxygen in
the air is converted successively into thermal energy (heat), mechanical
energy (spinning turbines), and finally electrical energy for continuous use
and distribution across a wide geographic area. Each of these processes is
less than 100% efficient, with energy lost (usually as heat) at each stage.—
The second law of thermodynamics states that the quality of a particular
amount of energy—i.e., the amount of work or action that it can do—
diminishes each time this energy is used and is true for all forms of energy
(mechanical, chemical, etc.).
marvins-underground-k-12
(Marvins-Underground-K-12)
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