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Specific Energy Formula:
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Specific energy is the energy per unit mass of a substance. It is a measure of how much energy is stored in a given mass and is typically expressed in joules per kilogram (J/kg).
The calculator uses the specific energy formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much energy is contained in each unit of mass, providing a standardized measure of energy density.
Details: Specific energy is crucial in various fields including physics, engineering, and energy storage. It helps compare the energy content of different fuels and materials, and is essential in designing energy systems and batteries.
Tips: Enter energy in joules (J) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What are common units for specific energy?
A: The SI unit is joules per kilogram (J/kg), but other units like watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) are also commonly used, especially in battery technology.
Q2: How does specific energy differ from energy density?
A: Specific energy is energy per unit mass (J/kg), while energy density is energy per unit volume (J/m³). Both are important measures of energy storage capacity.
Q3: What materials have high specific energy?
A: Nuclear fuels like uranium have extremely high specific energy. Among chemical fuels, hydrogen has one of the highest specific energy values, followed by hydrocarbons like gasoline and diesel.
Q4: Why is specific energy important in battery technology?
A: Higher specific energy means a battery can store more energy for the same weight, which is crucial for applications like electric vehicles and portable electronics where weight is a critical factor.
Q5: Can specific energy be negative?
A: No, specific energy is always a positive value as both energy and mass are positive quantities in physical systems.