a battery operated tool, such as a cordless drill, converts...

a.) electrostatic energy to chemical potential energy
b.) mechanical energy to thermal energy
c.) thermal energy to mechanical energy
d.) thermal energy to chemical potential energy
e.) chemical potential energy to mechanical energy

Wouldn't it b e? A battery is chemical energy (potential--waiting to go to work) and the drill is mechanical energy.

Definetly E

A battery-operated tool, such as a cordless drill, converts:

c) thermal energy to mechanical energy

The battery in a cordless drill stores chemical potential energy. When the drill is turned on, the chemical reactions inside the battery generate electrical energy. This electrical energy is then converted into thermal energy within the motor, which creates mechanical energy to power the drill's movement. Therefore, the thermal energy generated during the conversion process is ultimately responsible for producing mechanical energy.

A battery-operated tool, such as a cordless drill, converts electrical energy stored in a battery to mechanical energy. The correct answer is e.) chemical potential energy to mechanical energy.

To understand why this is the case, let's break down the process:

1. Chemical Potential Energy: The battery stores chemical potential energy. This energy is released when certain chemical reactions occur within the battery.

2. Electrical Energy: When the cordless drill is turned on, the battery circuit is completed, and electrons start to flow from the negative terminal of the battery to the positive terminal. This flow of electrons constitutes an electric current and represents electrical energy.

3. Electric Motor: Inside the cordless drill, there is an electric motor. When the electric current flows through the motor, it interacts with a magnetic field to produce rotational motion. This conversion of electrical energy to mechanical energy allows the drill bit to rotate and perform work.

Therefore, a battery-operated tool, like a cordless drill, converts chemical potential energy stored in the battery into electrical energy, and then the electric motor converts that electrical energy into mechanical energy to power the tool's operation.