Chemical energy in burning wood is changed into thermal energy. The thermal energy is absorbed by water, which boils to produce steam. The thermal energy is changed into kinetic energy in the moving steam. The kinetic energy is used to turn a turbine, which converts the kinetic energy into electricity. Which sentence best describes this system?
Answer
A
It involves only energy transfer.
B
It involves only energy transformation.
C
It involves both energy transformation and energy transfer.
D
It does not involve either energy transformation or energy transfer.
Explanation
The system includes energy transformations: chemical energy in the wood becomes thermal energy, and moving steam’s kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy. Energy is also transferred when thermal energy from the burning wood is absorbed by the water. Therefore, the system involves both energy transformation and energy transfer.
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