When energy is changed from one form to another, some of the energy is lost to the surroundings as waste thermal energy. The more steps needed to arrive at the desired energy or the more types of energy that are generated, the more energy is wasted. Which object would likely have the least amount of wasted energy?

A solar cell converts sunlight directly into electrical energy in a single step, so relatively little energy is lost in intermediate conversions. A hydroelectric dam, car engine, and hairdryer involve additional energy conversions, with more energy typically dissipated as waste heat. The best choice is a solar cell.

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