4.2.4

Reducing Unwanted Energy Transfer

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Reducing Unwanted Energy Transfer

We take steps to reduce the amount of energy wasted.

Lubrication

Lubrication

  • Lubrication reduces frictional forces.
  • A moving object normally has at least one frictional force acting against it. This causes some energy to be dissipated.
  • Lubricants can reduce the friction between the surfaces of objects that are rubbing together.
  • Lubricants are normally liquids.
Thermal insulation

Thermal insulation

  • Heat will be lost through the roof, windows, walls and floor.
  • To reduce the energy transfer, we might:
    • Fit loft insulation (the roof).
    • Use double glazing (windows).
    • Use cavity wall insulation (walls).
    • Fit carpets (floors).
Walls in homes

Walls in homes

  • We can decrease the rate a house cools down by:
    • Having thicker walls
    • Having walls made from a material with a lower thermal conductivity.
  • The more heat that a material conducts (the higher its thermal conductivity is), the higher the rate of energy transfer by conduction across the material.
Jump to other topics
1

Forces & Motion

1.1

Basics of Motion

1.2

Forces

1.3

Effects of Forces

1.4

Stopping Distance

1.5

Forces & Elasticity

2

Electricity

3

Waves

4

Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5

Solids, Liquids & Gases

6

Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7

Radioactivity & Particles

8

Astrophysics

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