Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 6: Problem 95

If energy is conserved, how can there be an energy crisis?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The energy crisis refers not to a reduction in the total amount of energy, which remains constant according to the law of conservation of energy, but rather to a shortage of useful energy resources that can be readily converted into work or heat. This shortage is often due to factors such as increased demand, limited supply, and inefficient energy use.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Law of Conservation of Energy

The law of conservation of energy, a law of physics, states that the total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant. It implies that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be change from one form to another.
02

Understanding Energy Crisis

An energy crisis is a situation in which the demand for energy resources, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and electricity, exceeds the available supply. This imbalance can lead to power shortages, high energy prices, and other adverse economic and social impacts.
03

Linking Energy Conservation and Energy Crisis

While it's true that energy can't be created or destroyed, the forms of energy that are valuable to us (like electricity, for instance), often get converted into less useful forms (like heat) in the process of using them. This is part of what's called 'energy degradation', and it's one of the reasons we can have an energy crisis even though energy is conserved.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Which of the following does not have \(\Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}=0\) at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C} ?\) \(\begin{array}{lllll}\text { He }(g) & \text { Fe }(s) & \text { Cl }(g) & \text { S }_{8}(s) & \text { O }_{2}(g) & \text { Br }_{2}(l)\end{array}\)

The work done to compress a gas is \(74 \mathrm{~J}\). As a result, \(26 \mathrm{~J}\) of heat is given off to the surroundings. Calculate the change in energy of the gas.

On what law is the first law of thermodynamics based? Explain the sign conventions in the equation \(\Delta U=q+w\)

Explain what is meant by a state function. Give two examples of quantities that are state functions and two that are not.

What is heat? How does heat differ from thermal energy? Under what condition is heat transferred from one system to another?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free