Question 6 (Essay Worth 3 points)
(03.02 HC)Wave and tidal energy projects are possible because of the Law of Conservation of Energy. Would they still be possible if the ocean were an isolated system? Explain your answer in terms of how matter and energy are exchanged in systems.
Wave and tidal energy projects harness the energy generated by the movement of waves and tides in the ocean. These projects are feasible due to the Law of Conservation of Energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but can only be transferred or transformed from one form to another.
However, if the ocean were considered an isolated system, then it would not be possible to extract wave and tidal energy. This is because an isolated system does not exchange matter or energy with its surroundings. In this case, any energy generated by the waves and tides in the ocean would remain within the system and cannot be utilized for any practical purposes.
Wave energy is derived from the kinetic energy of the waves, and tidal energy is extracted from the potential energy of tides. To exploit these energy sources, a system is required to capture, convert, and transfer this energy into usable forms like electricity. If the ocean were isolated, the energy generated by the waves and tides would not be able to be harnessed since it would not be able to interact or exchange energy with any external system.
Moreover, the extraction of wave and tidal energy requires the presence of structures and devices that can harness this energy. These structures, such as wave energy converters or tidal turbines, need to be placed in the ocean to capture the energy. In an isolated system, the placement of such devices would not be possible, as it would involve the introduction of matter or energy from the surroundings, which is not permissible in an isolated system.
In conclusion, wave and tidal energy projects are possible due to the Law of Conservation of Energy. However, these projects would not be feasible if the ocean were considered an isolated system since an isolated system does not exchange matter or energy with its surroundings. The extraction of wave and tidal energy relies on the ability to capture and convert the energy present in the ocean, which requires interaction with external systems.