Can black body retain it`s absorbed heat energy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the ability of a black body to retain absorbed heat energy and the potential for converting that energy into useful forms, such as electricity. It explores theoretical and practical implications of energy retention and conversion in the context of thermal energy storage and solar energy applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether a black body can retain absorbed heat energy and why this energy cannot be converted into electricity like solar energy.
  • One participant notes that black bodies are idealized objects and suggests that any object absorbing sunlight can serve as an energy source, referencing various thermal energy storage methods.
  • Another participant argues that if a black body retains heat, it contradicts the definition of retention, but acknowledges that practical applications exist, such as using retained heat to generate steam for power generation.
  • It is proposed that the ability to extract energy from a black body depends on the temperature difference between the body and its environment, implying that energy storage is possible but extraction may be limited under certain conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the concept of energy retention in black bodies and the feasibility of converting that energy into useful forms. There is no consensus on the implications of these ideas or the practical applications discussed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves assumptions about the definitions of energy retention and conversion efficiency, as well as the practical limitations of temperature differences in energy extraction. These factors remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring concepts in thermodynamics, energy conversion, and solar energy applications.

CHANDRABHAN
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Can black body retain it`s absorbed heat energy? If yes, then why we can not convert this energy into a usefull form such as into electric energy as solar do?
 
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CHANDRABHAN said:
Can black body retain it`s absorbed heat energy? If yes, then why we can not convert this energy into a usefull form such as into electric energy as solar do?
Hi and welcome to PF.
If your black body retained its heat then, by definition of the word 'retained', the energy couldn't be retained.
On the other hand. a black body (say a dark painted brick) can be placed in a solar furnace (just to improve the process`) and the retained heat could be used to boil some water and work a steam engine / generator.
There's a sort of general principle that, to make anything 'happen', Energy has to be transformed from one form to another.
 
CHANDRABHAN said:
Can black body retain it`s absorbed heat energy? If yes, then why we can not convert this energy into a usefull form such as into electric energy as solar do?

Yes. But the ability to extract energy depends on the temperature difference. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnot_cycle

So you can store any amount of energy, but if the temperature difference to the environment is too small, you can't extract it usefully.
 

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