Wood has chemical energy, which can be used to generate thermal and radiant energy when burned in a fireplace. Which best explai
ns what happens to the total amount of energy in this scenario? The total energy in the system increases because chemical energy creates thermal and radiant energy. The total energy in the system decreases because chemical energy disappears as thermal and radiant energy are generated. The total energy in the system remains the same as the decrease in chemical energy equals the increase in thermal and radiant energy. The total energy in the system remains the same as the increase in chemical energy equals the decrease in thermal and radiant energy.
This can be seen as a trick question because heat engines can typically never be 100 percent efficient. This is due to the presence of inefficiencies such as friction and heat loss to the environment. Even the best heat engines can only go up to around 50% efficiency.
