Question

A student needs help completing an energy transfer diagram for a ceiling fan. Which BEST fills in the blanks labeled M and N to describe the transfer of energy
​

Answer 1

Answer: c) N= electrical energy and M= kinetic energy

Explanation:

The options are:

a) N= electrical and M= potential energy

b) N=light energy and M= electrical energy

c) N= electrical energy and M= kinetic energy

d) N= mechanical energy and M= electrical energy

In the ceiling fan we have:

We have that for a ceiling fan:

When we turn it on, we allow electrical current to flow into the fan system.

That electrical current is used to move the blades of the fan, in this way creating a wind current. As you may know, the energy of the movement is called kinetic energy.

So we have that the conversion here is Electrical energy into Kinetic energy, so the correct option is c.

Answer 2

The M and N represents the electrical and kinetic energy, respectively.

Explanation:

As the law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, it can only be transferred from one form of energy to another. So in the case of ceiling fan, the electrical energy which is used to switch on the fan, is transferred as the kinetic energy of the blades of the fan for its working. Thus, the energy transfer diagram will show the transfer of electrical energy to kinetic energy.

So, the M and N in the energy transfer diagram will represent electrical and kinetic energy, respectively.