Briefly describe three examples of energy conversion taking place in an automobile.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Energy conversion occurs when one form of energy is changed to another form. Because energy is not always in the desired form, it must be converted to a form we can use. Some of the most common automotive energy conversions are discussed here.
Chemical to Thermal Energy. Chemical energy in gasoline or diesel fuel is converted to thermal energy when the fuel burns in the engine cylinders.
Chemical to Electrical Energy. The chemical energy in a battery is converted to electrical energy to power many of the accessories on an automobile. In some hybrid and all electric vehicles, the battery is used to power the drive wheels.
Electrical to Mechanical Energy. In an automobile, the battery supplies electrical energy to the starting motor, and this motor converts the electrical energy to mechanical energy to crank the engine.
Thermal to Mechanical Energy. The thermal energy that results from the burning of the fuel in the engine is converted to mechanical energy. The firing impulses on the pistons create rotational motion of the crankshaft. That motion is transferred to the drive train and is used to move the vehicle.
Mechanical to Electrical Energy. The generator is driven by mechanical energy from the engine. The generator converts this energy to electrical energy, which powers the electrical accessories on the vehicle and recharges the battery.
Electrical to Radiant Energy. Radiant energy is light energy. In the automobile, electrical energy is converted to thermal energy, which heats up the inside of light bulbs so that they illuminate and release radiant energy.
Solar to Electrical Energy. Solar energy can be converted to electrical energy through the use of photovoltaic panels. Automotive applications include roof panels that power cooling fans while the vehicle is parked.
Kinetic to Thermal Energy. To stop a vehicle, the brake system must change the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle to kinetic and static thermal or heat energy. This is the result of friction, which is discussed later in this chapter.
Kinetic to Mechanical to Electrical Energy. Hybrid vehicles have a system, called regenerative braking, that uses the energy of the moving vehicle (kinetic) to rotate a generator. The mechanical energy used to operate the generator is used to provide electrical energy to charge the batteries or power the electric drive motor.