To calculate the efficiency of a toaster, you can use the following formula:
\[ \text{Efficiency (%)} = \left( \frac{\text{Output Energy}}{\text{Input Energy}} \right) \times 100 \]
Steps to Calculate Efficiency:
-
Determine Input Energy: This is the total energy supplied to the toaster, usually measured in joules (J) or kilowatt-hours (kWh).
-
Determine Output Energy: This is the useful energy the toaster provides in heating the food, which can also be measured in joules (J).
-
Apply the Efficiency Formula: Plug the values of output and input energy into the formula above.
Example Calculation:
- Input Energy: Suppose the toaster uses 1,200 joules of energy.
- Output Energy: Assume the toaster effectively heats the food with 900 joules of energy.
Now, plug in the values:
\[ \text{Efficiency (%)} = \left( \frac{900 , \text{J}}{1200 , \text{J}} \right) \times 100 = 75% \]
In this example, the toaster would have an efficiency of 75%.
Note:
Keep in mind that in real-life applications, not all of the input energy is converted to useful heating energy due to losses such as heat dissipation into the surrounding environment.