Improving Efficiency Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

Give three ways to increase the efficiency of an intended energy transfer.

Lubricate moving parts, use thermal insulation, and streamline moving objects to reduce air resistance.

How does oiling the moving parts of a machine affect its efficiency?

Efficiency increases — less energy is wasted against friction, so a greater proportion is transferred usefully.

True or false? Increasing the efficiency of a device means increasing its total energy input.

False. It means a greater proportion of the same input is transferred usefully.

How does insulating the pipes and tank of a hot water system improve its efficiency?

Less energy is dissipated to the surroundings, so more of the input is transferred usefully to the water.