Energy conversion efficiency (Light -> heat)

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating energy conversion efficiency from light to heat, specifically comparing two materials exposed to a 10W laser. Material 1 increases in temperature from 20°C to 30°C, while Material 2 rises from 20°C to 40°C. The energy conversion efficiency is determined by the heat capacity of the materials, which is noted to be 3600 J/(kg*K). The key takeaway is that the efficiency can be quantitatively expressed by considering both the absorbed energy and the heat capacity of the materials involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of energy conversion principles
  • Knowledge of heat capacity (3600 J/(kg*K))
  • Familiarity with laser power output (10W)
  • Basic thermodynamics concepts, including temperature and heat differentiation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for calculating energy conversion efficiency in thermal systems
  • Explore the relationship between heat capacity and temperature change in materials
  • Learn about the principles of light absorption and reflection in materials
  • Investigate the application of laser power in heating different materials
USEFUL FOR

Researchers, engineers, and students in the fields of thermodynamics, materials science, and energy conversion who are interested in quantifying the efficiency of light-to-heat energy transfer.

Tah
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Hi, all

I'm seeking advice on how to calculate the energy conversion efficiency, in case of heat from light energy.

I think that one of the general formulas 'energy output/energy input' can not be applied in this problem.

Assuming that light(or laser) has 10W power output and material 1 exposed to the light source generates heat from 20C' to 30'C for a second, while material 2 generates heat from 20'C to 40'C for a second.

In this case, we can say that the energy conversion efficiency is better for material 2, but I want to describe this as a quantitative expression.

Please can anyone help me?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Note: temperature and heat are different things. You need the material heat capacity so you can relate the power delivered by the laser to the rate heat-energy increases.
 
Sorry for that, I didn't realize that.

Heat capacity can be 3600 J/(kg*K)
 
All energy expended by a laser (and most other devices) eventually becomes heat (thermal energy). The only real question is how much is absorbed and how much is reflected.

If the laser is the same and only the material is different, then the difference can either be in how much is reflected or what the heat capacity is (or both).
 
Tah said:
Sorry for that, I didn't realize that.

Heat capacity can be 3600 J/(kg*K)
OK - so can you work out the energy needed to get the temperature changes that were observed?
What is the definition of "energy conversion efficiency"?
 

Similar threads

Heat Transfer Through a Two Material System due to a Light Source
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Calculating how a car consumes energy (gasoline)
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
A Carnot engine between the Earth's poles and equator
  • · Replies 67 ·
3
Replies
67
Views
7K
Help me heat up a powder coating oven (made out of an old steel cabinet)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Nuclear power plant vs coal power plant efficiency
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
6K
Overall efficiency of cascaded reverse Carnot engine & a Rankine turbine
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School Using Interference Principles to Increase the Efficiency of Solar Panels
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
Can We Generate Perpetual Machine in 2nd Degree from Global Warming Heat?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
I have a few questions about refrigeration and AC units
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Heat loss from the temperature difference
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K