Question

An inefficient machine is said to "waste energy." Does this mean that energy is actually lost? Explain.

Essay answers are limited to about 500 words (3800 characters maximum, including spaces).

Answer 1

When a machine is said to be inefficient, it means that the desired form of energy is less than the energy supplied. The remaining energy is not lost but is converted to the other forms of undesired energies. For example, a lot of mechanical machines produce heat and the desired energy like kinetic energy is compromised. So, the undesired form of energy is called 'waste energy'. These energies are not lost but are converted to other forms of energy.

When a system consisting of a machine is isolated, the total energy of the energy remains the same even when the machine is inefficient because the lost energy is also contained within the system.

'Energy can not be created nor be destroyed. It can be converted from one form to another form'.