A coal-burning power plant generates electrical power at a rate of 750 megawatts (MW), or 7.50 × 108 J/s. The plant has an overall efficiency of 35% for the conversion of heat to electricity. Given this efficiency, how much heat energy in joules is produced in one year of operation?

Heat Energy produced in one year of operation is 6.758 x 10¹⁶ J

Explanation:

Given;

rate of power generation, E = 7.50 × 10⁸ J/s

overall  efficiency, η = 35%

To determine the amount of heat energy in joules produced in one year of operation;

first: convert one year to seconds

Assume there are 365 days in one year,

365 days x 24 hours x 60 minutes x 60 seconds = 31536000 s

Heat Energy produced in one year of operation at given rate = (7.50 × 10⁸ J/s) x (31536000 s)

= 2.3652 x 10¹⁶ J

Heat Energy produced in one year of operation at given efficiency =

(2.3652 x 10¹⁶ J) / (0.35) = 6.758 x 10¹⁶ J

Therefore, Heat Energy produced in one year of operation is 6.758 x 10¹⁶ J

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