Final answer:
In a compressor, the percentage of work energy output to energy input is determined by its efficiency and losses due, to friction and other factors, with the first law of thermodynamics being a guiding principle.
This efficiency can often be expressed in terms of the coefficient of performance for heat pump systems, which involves the ratio of heat transfer to work supplied. However, this percentage needs to be measured or calculated for each specific case as it varies with design and operating conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a compressor, the percentage of work energy output compared to the amount of energy input is determined by the system's efficiency, which in turn is related to the first law of thermodynamics.
This law states that the change in a system's internal energy is equal to the net heat transfer into the system minus the net work done by the system. Typically, some energy is lost in the process due to inefficiencies; these losses can include heat generated by the compressor, friction losses, and other forms of energy degradation.
Specifically, for compression refrigeration systems, air conditioners, or heat pumps, the ratio of output to input work can be expressed using the coefficient of performance (COP). The COP for a heat pump is the ratio of heat transferred to the hot reservoir to the work supplied. However, this ratio differs for different systems depending on their design and operating conditions.
It's important to understand that in practice, the work output will never be 100% of the work input due to these inherent losses. Even in the most efficient systems, the work energy output percentage is less than the energy input, and the actual percentage needs to be measured or calculated for a specific compressor within its operating conditions.