[Q] heat and electrical energy

[rory222]

Hello

I read somewhere that electrical energy can be converted with 100% efficiency to heat energy and apparently this is the only time where something can be 100% efficient. However i wondered if it would be possible for a material,that would fit around an electrical wire, to be in conditions when heated to a certain temperature knocked loose free electrons so that the amount of waste heat energy would be converted straight back into electrical energy. is this possible and can heat beat converted back to electricity directly?

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Heat directly to electricity yes...with 100% efficiency no.....Thermoelectric effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Turtle]

Heat directly to electricity yes...with 100% efficiency no.....Thermoelectric effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

good answer. :shrug: i was surprised that the article didn't seem to mention or link to the article on the devices commonly available for making this conversion.Thermocouple - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[rory222]

could anyone explain why the wasted heat from an electrical circuit could not be converted back directly with 100% efficiency

[freeztar]

Because any device you used to convert the heat to electrical energy would not be 100% efficient.

 

Theoretically, you can, but in the real world, nothing is 100% percent efficient. Fighting entropy is an uphill battle.

[rory222]

NIKOLA TKSL A - Google Patent Search

this patent by telsa looks interesting and that it takes the heat away from the electrical circuit can anyone explain more on it.

[BrianG]

Incandescent bulbs are very efficient converting electricity to heat and light, but there is a heat loss in the wires to the bulb.

[modest]

Incandescent bulbs are very efficient converting electricity to heat and light, but there is a heat loss in the wires to the bulb.

 

Thermal radiation, or 'light', is a form of heat. The "heat loss in the wires" is part of the "very efficient converting electricity to heat" of an incandescent bulb.

 

"Heat" has a very specific thermodynamic meaning.

 

~modest