A natural gas power plant burns natural gas to produce electricity. In one second it produces 500 MJ of electrical potential energy. The power plant consumes chemical energy in order to produce electrical potential
energy.
--In one second does it consume 500 MJ of chemical energy, less than 500 MJ or more than 500 MJ? Explain.
My solution,
E chem = Ep + E thermal
So it consumes more than 500 MJ, because what is consumed is transferred to mostly Ep and smaller portion to E thermal.
--The power plant has large cooling towers full of water. Why are these necessary?
My solution,
It is necessary because the chemical energy consumed creates E thermal (heat) so it needs to cool down.
Am I right or wrong?
1 answer