Difference between revisions of "Chem321:Discussion 4"

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(Laws of conservation of matter and energy)
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==Laws of conservation of matter and energy==
 
==Laws of conservation of matter and energy==
 
Classical laws of chemistry and thermodynamics tell us that neither mass and energy cannot be destroyed; both are conserved during any physical or chemical process.  (Strictly speaking we should use a combination of mass-energy when talking about nuclear reactions, but these are rare on Earth.)  '''What can we learn from the conservation of mass and conservation of energy when considering global resources of mass and energy?'''
 
Classical laws of chemistry and thermodynamics tell us that neither mass and energy cannot be destroyed; both are conserved during any physical or chemical process.  (Strictly speaking we should use a combination of mass-energy when talking about nuclear reactions, but these are rare on Earth.)  '''What can we learn from the conservation of mass and conservation of energy when considering global resources of mass and energy?'''
 +
*These sources may be finite, but their energy is not. Although it loses its sense of exergy once it's been used up (like gasoline), that new heat energy impacts other environments and systems and causes changes to occur. This can be applied to many differtent forms of energy that we use daily- if we use less of these resources, than less heat will be transferred to neighboring environments later on. By reducing our inputs, we reduce our outputs of waste and damage. [[User:HKopelson|HKopelson]] ([[User talk:HKopelson|talk]]) 10:29, 16 July 2012 (EDT)
  
 
==Limitations==
 
==Limitations==

Revision as of 10:29, 16 July 2012

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This discussion is based on discussing two questions, and it is set to take place on the wiki, over the next few days (until midnight on Monday, 16th July). We will leave comments on the page below, in response to (and under) the questions posted or the related responses. Be sure to start your text with a *, and sign your responses with four tilde marks at the end.

Laws of conservation of matter and energy

Classical laws of chemistry and thermodynamics tell us that neither mass and energy cannot be destroyed; both are conserved during any physical or chemical process. (Strictly speaking we should use a combination of mass-energy when talking about nuclear reactions, but these are rare on Earth.) What can we learn from the conservation of mass and conservation of energy when considering global resources of mass and energy?

  • These sources may be finite, but their energy is not. Although it loses its sense of exergy once it's been used up (like gasoline), that new heat energy impacts other environments and systems and causes changes to occur. This can be applied to many differtent forms of energy that we use daily- if we use less of these resources, than less heat will be transferred to neighboring environments later on. By reducing our inputs, we reduce our outputs of waste and damage. HKopelson (talk) 10:29, 16 July 2012 (EDT)

Limitations

Science is clearly valuable when studying the environment. What do you perceive as the limitations of science in this context?

Wonder tech

If you had $50 billion to spend on developing some new technology, what would you choose, and how would you spend the money?