3 ms·
> I could build up a lot of solar panels and use the electricity to heat up an oven more than the surface of the sun, right? Yes, this would be like using a hy
by p1mrx 2y ago
> I could build up a lot of solar panels and use the electricity to heat up an oven more than the surface of the sun, right?
Yes, this would be like using a hydroelectric dam to power a fountain that sprays higher than the initial reservoir. Machines can convert a large amount of low-quality energy into a small amount of high-quality energy, even when passive components (e.g. mirrors or pipes) cannot.
- micw 2y agoSo what is a "passive component"? I guess, a water wheel that drives a pump that pupms water way above the surface level would count as active? What about a material that absorbs photons and emitts them at a higher energy level (emitting one after absorbing two)?