Thermodynamics: Energy and High-quality Energy Essay

Submitted By skyrodcepero
Words: 475
Pages: 2

Thermodynamics
First Law of Thermodynamics energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed. The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe remains constant, merely changing from one form to another. The First Law of Thermodynamics Conservation states that energy is always conserved it cannot be created or destroyed. In essence, energy can be converted from one form into another.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that in all energy exchanges, if no energy enters or leaves the system, the potential energy of the state will always be less than that of the initial state. This is also commonly referred to as entropy. A watch spring driven watch will run until the potential energy in the spring is converted, and not again until energy is reapplied to the spring to rewind it. A car that has run out of gas will not run again until you walk 10 miles to a gas station and refuel the car. Once the potential energy locked in carbohydrates is converted into kinetic energy in use or motion, the organism will get no more until energy is input again. In the process of energy transfer, some energy will dissipate as heat. Entropy is a measure of disorder. Cells are not disordered and so have low entropy. The flow of energy maintains order and life. Entropy wins when organisms cease to take in energy and die. According to the first energy law energy can neither be created nor destroyed; you might think there will always be enough energy. Yet when you fill a car's tank with gasoline and drive around something is lost. The Second Law of Thermodynamics implies that high-quality energy can never be used over again. Matter can be recycled but high-quality energy can never be recycled. Once a piece of coal or a barrel of oil is burned, its high-quality