answersLogoWhite

0

Mainly through the relatively low thermodynamic efficiency of heat engines (petrol, diesel, steam turbines, gas turbines), which waste at least 50% of the chemical energy of the fuel.

Engineers know that the efficiency is set by the upper and lower temperatures of the working fluid in the engine. They also understand the limitations of the materials available to make machines, which place limits on the temperatures and pressures that can be used.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How do engines lose energy?

Engines lose energy through friction, heat dissipation, and other forms of inefficiency in the conversion of fuel into useful work. This can occur due to mechanical losses in moving parts, aerodynamic drag, or incomplete combustion processes. Over time, wear and tear also contribute to reduced energy output in engines.


Why do mammals and birds lose a greater percentage of the energy intake to the environment as heat?

warm blooded


Why most heat produced by heat engines are tranffered to the environment?

According to the theory of heat engines (read about "Carnot cycle" for more details), heat can not be converted 100% to other forms of energy. The remaining energy gets transferred from the "reservoir" of higher temperature, to the "reservoir" of lower temperature. The latter would be the environment. For example, if the heat engine works at 600 Kelvin, and the environment has a temperature of 300 Kelvin, in theory half the heat of the higher-temperature reservoir can be used. However, real engines have a lower efficiency than the theoretical maximum according to Carnot.


How do animals lose energy?

Animals lose energy simply by existing. The more strenuous the activity they are performing, the more energy they will lose.


What energy source can you use in cars?

Internal combustion gasoline, propane, or diesel engines. Electric motors. Steam engines, fuel cell engines are examples of energy sources.


What converts energy into motion?

Engines.


What kind of car engines are the most environment friendly?

There are a few kind of environmentally friendly car engines. The first would be an electric engine, because it uses no fuel and is simply charged. Another is a hybrid engine, which uses fuel as well as electric or hydrogen. There are also compressed air engines (which are more environmentally friendly than electric) and solar energy engines.


Does external combustion engines use turbines?

No,they use engines to produce mechanical energy.


Is it possible thermal energy change into electrical?

If you have a DIFFERENCE of temperatures, you can convert part of that energy to other types of energy, including electricity. In fact, that is how many engines work - steam engines, gasolene engines in cars, and even nuclear reactors.


Are rc airplane engines bad on the environment?

All engines are bad on the environment, they exude used chemicals once fuel is burned. But with technology progressing as it is there is less impact on the environment today than there was 20 years ago.


What is the motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical energy?

The generic term is "heat engine". Most engines - for example, car engines - are in this category.


What is the motor converts thermal energy to mechanical energy?

The generic term is "heat engine". Most engines - for example, car engines - are in this category.