Question

11.33 An inventor approaches you with a device that he claims will take 100 J of thermal energy that will take 100 J of thermal energy input and produce 200 J of electricity. You decide not to invest your money because this device would violate

A. The first law of thermodynamics
B. The second law of thermodynamics
C. Both the second and third law of thermo dynamics

Answer 1

The decision not to invest in a device that allegedly produces more energy than it consumes is correct, as it violates the first law of thermodynamics, which is the principle of energy conservation.

Step-by-step explanation:

An inventor claims that his device will take 100 J of thermal energy input and produce 200 J of electricity. The decision not to invest in such a device is indeed wise because it would violate the first law of thermodynamics, which is the law of conservation of energy. According to this law, the energy output of a system can never exceed the energy input. Thus, a device that claims to produce more energy than it consumes is not feasible as it would effectively be a perpetual-motion machine, which is an impossible concept under the current physical laws.