During the day, thermal batteries are heated by the sun. The molecules in the batteries gain kinetic energy, causing their temperature to rise. At night, the thermal batteries will release kinetic energy, causing their temperature to drop.
Energy from the sun can be captured in solar power plants and used by humans. At night and on some cloudy days, solar power plants do not generate any energy. At other times, solar power plants generate more electrical energy than people need. A thermal battery is one way to store the extra energy for use later. When the sun is shining, the system adds thermal energy to a solid, such as salt. As the thermal energy of the salt increases, it melts. The energy stored in the molten material is later used to warm other objects or produce an electric current.
The giant mirror focuses sunlight onto material in the box.
EXPLAIN: Select the words to complete the paragraph about how batteries store and use thermal energy to make electricity.
During the day, thermal batteries are heated by the sun. The molecules in the batteries
kinetic energy causing their temperature to
. At night, the thermal batteries will
kinetic energy causing their temperature to
.
1 answer
1 answer