1. Explain, using the laws of thermodynamics, why we would run out of energy on
ID: 46285 • Letter: 1
Question
1. Explain, using the laws of thermodynamics, why we would run out of energy on earth without the sun. In other words, why, according to the laws of thermodynamics, must there be a constant input of energy on the planet?
2. Does the development of a structurally complex organism such as a coyote from a fertilized egg violate the 2nd law of thermodynamics? Explain.
3. When a brown bear eats a salmon, does the bear acquire all the energy contained in the body of the fish? Why or why not? What implications do you think this answer would have for the relative abundance (by weight) of predators and their prey? Does the second law of thermodynamics help explain the title of this book: Why Big Fierce Animals Are Rare?
Explanation / Answer
1. See the law of thermodynamics says that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. Now sun's energy is converted by plants into food and this is used as source of energy for other heterotrophs. So the cycles goes on and on and energy is being transformed from one form to another. So constant input of energy is required as its all dependent on Autotrophs, which are further dependent on Sun.
2. Since complex organism like coyote is not a closed system, and there is repeated exchange of energy with its surrounding. So, we can't say it is violating the 2nd law. There is input of energy into the organism through food and there is always increase in entropy of the surrounding.
3. See the predators are always less in number than there prey, this can be validated by the energy pyramid (it gets narrow as we go up). This is because, for example, when a bear eats a salmon, it is not getting all the energy contained in the body of the fish. He gets only 10% of it (10% law). A part of it is wasted as its not digested by the body and excreted out. So to fulfill its energy needs he needs more salmon. But if the number of bears increase, the number of salmon will decrease as there would be more predators to eat them. To maintain a balance, the predators are generally lesser in number than their prey.
This goes with the second law, as when energy from the salmon is converted into energy in bear, some amount is lost. Therefore for a bear to get enough energy, more salmon are required and thus the title is explained, why bear are less than salmon (big rare than small animals).
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.