Energy Transfers in Appliances
- Everyday appliances transfer energy electrically from the mains supply to the appliance
- For example, in a heater, energy is transferred to the thermal store of the heating element
- The amount of energy an appliance transfers depends on:
- The time the appliance is switched on for
- The power of the appliance
- A 1 kW iron uses the same amount of energy in 1 hour as a 2 kW iron would use in 30 minutes
- A 100 W heater uses the same amount of energy in 30 hours as a 3000 W heater does in 1 hour
- As charge (electrons) flows around a circuit, energy is transferred from the power source to the various components
- As the electrons pass through the power supply, energy is transferred to the electrons
- As the electrons pass through each component, energy is transferred from the electrons to the components
The flow of charge transfers energy from the power source to the components
- Different domestic appliances transfer energy electrically from the chemical store of the DC cells and batteries, such as a remote control
- Most household appliances transfer energy electrically from the AC mains supply
- The energy can be transferred to the kinetic store of an electric motor
- Motors are used in:
- Vacuum cleaners - to create the suction to suck in dust and dirt off carpets
- Washing machines - to rotate the drum to wash (or dry) clothes
- Refrigerators - to compress the refrigerant chemical into a liquid to reduce the temperature
- Or, the energy can be transferred to the heating element of heating devices
- Heating is used in:
- Toasters - to toast bread
- Kettles - to boil hot water
- Radiators - hot water is pumped from the boiler so the radiator can heat up a room
Energy transfers for a washing machine and toaster