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The most common way of doing that is to use heat to boil water, and then to use the steam off the boiling water to turn turbines. The turbines are then used to turn generators, and they produce electricity. (The heat becomes mechanical energy to generate the electricial energy.)

Heat is infared (IR) electromagnetic radiation. A simple and historical concept for conversion would be to use steam turbines. Although some research has been done into collecting IR energy from the Sun (and other sources) using Nanotechnology.

Thermoelectric generators turn thermal heat directly into electrical energy by heating different types of wire conductors. One type is called a Seebeck generator for its discoverer, Thomas Seebeck. The Seebeck effect is also widely used in voltage measuring devices.

Lower-power thermionic generators also produce electrical energy directly from heat energy by ionic means. Some use caesium metal vapor.

* Some forms of solar energy systems collect radiant heat from the Sun, heating water in the panels (but most use photovoltaic conversion, turning light energy into electricity).

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7y ago
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4mo ago

Electrical energy is often converted into thermal energy when electrical resistance in a device, such as a heating element or resistor, causes electrons to collide with atoms in the material, generating heat. This process is known as Joule heating. Thermal energy is then used for various applications, like heating water, cooking food, or generating steam for power generation.

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13y ago

Normally one would only think of converting thermal energy into electricity.

Thermal energy is heat. One burn wood, fossil fuel, garbage, converting it that way into thermal energy. This in turn to heat up water, converting water into steam. The steam will then run a turbine and make electricity.

In every step there is a loss of energy.

An electric cooker converts electricity into thermal energy, warming up food etc.

An electric heater converts electricity into thermal energy, heating up the house.

It is the friction in the wires that does the trick.

As in a lightbulb, the friction causes the tiny thread inside to heat up and glow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_energy_storage

tells more about thermal energy, although not how to store electricity as it.

I don't think (and have never seen) there are any plans for mass converting electricity into thermal energy for later use of making electricity again.

One application that exist in most homes are a hot water tank.

These often have an electric heater attached, and we all enjoy a nice warm shower and or a hot bath. All Thermal energy at the expense of electricity.

Regards.

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9y ago

Because electrical energy is so darn easy to use. Once you have that wall outlet available, it's never ending, clean(at the point of usage) and easy to turn from one energy form to another.

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11y ago

thermocouple

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Q: Why is electrical energy converted into thermal energy?
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A light bulb converts 10 percent of the electrical energy and thermal energy it uses into radiant energymake a hypothesys about the other form of energy produced?

The other form of energy produced could be sound energy. As the light bulb operates, some of the electrical and thermal energy not converted into radiant energy could manifest as vibrations in the bulb's filament or other components, generating sound waves. This could lead to the presence of a humming or buzzing noise when the light bulb is turned on.


What is the energy transformation that occurs with the burning of fossil fuels?

The energy transformation that occurs with the burning of fossil fuels is the chemical energy stored in the fossil fuels being converted into heat energy through combustion. This heat energy is then used to generate electricity or power vehicles.


What are the energy changes in geothermal power?

In geothermal power production, energy is converted from the Earth's heat into electricity. The heat from the Earth's interior is used to generate steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity. This process involves the transfer of thermal energy into mechanical energy, and then into electrical energy.


When fossil fuel is burned energy what is converted to kinetic energy.?

When fossil fuels are burned, the chemical energy stored in them is converted into thermal energy in the form of heat. This heat is used to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator, converting the thermal energy into kinetic energy that generates electricity.


What are the energy changes in a geothermal power station?

In a geothermal power station, heat energy from the Earth's core is converted into electricity. The energy changes involve capturing the geothermal heat through wells or underground pipes, transferring it to a power plant, then using it to drive turbines that generate electricity. The overall process involves converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, which is then converted into electrical energy.

Related questions

What can thermal energy convert into?

Thermal energy can be converted into alot of things just go find out what it is.


Electrical energy thermal energy?

Electrical energy is the energy associated with the flow of electric charge. Thermal energy, on the other hand, is the energy resulting from the movement of particles within a substance, leading to an increase in temperature. When electrical energy is converted to thermal energy, it can be used for heating applications or to power devices such as heaters.


Why is chemical energy the energy that is converted to thermal energy?

Chemical energy is converted to thermal energy when chemical bonds are broken or rearranged during a chemical reaction. This releases the stored energy in the form of heat, increasing the thermal energy of the system.


How is thermal energy the same as electrical energy?

Thermal energy and electrical energy are both forms of energy that can be converted into other forms. Both types of energy are measured in joules and are used to power various devices and systems. In some cases, thermal energy can be converted into electrical energy through processes like thermoelectric conversion.


Which of the following energy conversion occurs inside in a battery electrical to chemical thermal to electrical or thermal to chemical?

None of them Chemical energy stored in the battery is converted into Electrical (with some heat / thermal 'wasted'). However if you recharge a battery you would get electrical to Chemical.


What kind of energy could resistance in an electrical wire be converted to?

Thermal


What kind of energy is used in a hair dryer?

Electrical energy is converted into thermal and mechanical energy


What are 20 examples of energy conversion?

Chemical energy in food is converted to mechanical energy when our muscles move. Solar energy is converted to electrical energy in solar panels. Electrical energy is converted to light and heat energy in an incandescent light bulb. Wind energy is converted to electrical energy in wind turbines. Potential energy in a dam is converted to electrical energy in a hydroelectric power plant. Thermal energy in fossil fuels is converted to electrical energy in a power plant. Nuclear energy is converted to electrical energy in nuclear power plants. Mechanical energy in a car engine is converted to kinetic energy to move the car. The kinetic energy of falling water is converted to mechanical energy in a waterwheel. Sound energy is converted to electrical energy in a microphone. Electric energy is converted to sound in a speaker. Kinetic energy in moving air is converted to electrical energy in a wind turbine. Chemical energy in batteries is converted to electrical energy in electronic devices. Gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy when an object falls. The energy in food is converted to heat energy in a stove during cooking. The energy in gasoline is converted to mechanical energy in a car engine. Heat energy in a geothermal reservoir is converted to electrical energy in a geothermal power plant. Mechanical energy in a hydro turbine is converted to electrical energy in a hydroelectric power plant. Chemical energy in gasoline is converted to thermal energy in an engine. Solar energy is converted to thermal energy in a solar water heater.


When you turn on a toaster what happens to the electrical energy?

The electrical energy gets transformed into electromagnetic (light) energy and thermal (heat) energy.


When electrical energy is converted into thermal energy what must be true?

When electrical energy is converted into thermal energy, the total amount of energy remains constant according to the law of conservation of energy. This means that the energy input from electricity is converted entirely into heat energy and dissipated into the environment, resulting in an increase in temperature of the system or surroundings.


What are the main energies an escalator is converted into?

It converts electrical energy into kinetic energy (and some thermal energy).


What energy conversion occurs in a torch?

In a torch, chemical energy stored in the battery is converted into electrical energy when the battery is connected. The electrical energy then powers the light bulb, where it is converted into light and thermal energy.