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Assignment No. 1 Thermodynamics Applications

Search for 5 practical applications of thermodynamics and explain each.

Name of the Technology Image Explanation
Heat engine Heat engines work by
converting a portion of the
energy transferred by heat
from a source into mechanical
energy. Heat transfers energy
from a high-temperature
object to a low-temperature
object while also transferring
unused energy. Heat engines
include gasoline and diesel
engines, jet engines, and
steam turbines that create
electricity.
Refrigerator Convection is the most
common process in any
refrigeration device you might
encounter. It is the product of
fluid circulation, which can
occur naturally because of
temperature changes in the
fluid, or in a controlled
manner. Convection is
demonstrated by the heat
exchange that occurs on the
evaporator and condenser.
Heat pump A heat pump is a machine that
transfers heat energy from a
heat source to a thermal
reservoir. Heat pumps take
heat from a cold region and
release it to a warmer one,
moving thermal energy in the
opposite direction of
spontaneous heat transfer. A
heat pump absorbs heat from
the outside air, heats it up
even more, and transfers it
indoors for house heating. For
home cooling, a heat pump
reverses this process,
extracting heat from the
internal air and expelling it to
the outside, much like a
refrigerator or air conditioner,
making the inside air cooler.
Air conditioner Air conditioning (A/C) is a
system that works on the same
basic principles as heat pumps,
but with some differences.
Because they only provide
cooling, air conditioners are
not as versatile as heat pumps.
However, because some places
on Earth do not require
heating, they are more
practical in many cases. They
operate in the same way that
heat pumps do in terms of
cooling.
Electric fan The fan motor converts
incoming electrical energy into
mechanical energy, which is
used to move the fan blades.
However, it does not convert
electricity to motion with 100%
efficiency. The resistance of
the wires in the fan motor
generates heat. As a result,
some of the electricity is
immediately converted into
heat. The remainder of the
electrical energy is converted
to mechanical energy, which is
eventually converted to heat.