To understand how well different energy sources work, we can use a simple formula for power:

Power (P) = Work (W) / Time (t)

This formula helps us see how much energy is produced over a certain amount of time.

Steps to Check Efficiency:

1. Understand Work and Time:

   • Work ($W$) is measured in joules (J). This tells us how much energy is used.
   • Time ($t$) is measured in seconds (s). This is how long the energy is used.

2. Calculate Power:

   • Power ($P$) is measured in watts (W). One watt is equal to one joule per second (1 W = 1 J/s).
   • For example:
     • A solar panel can produce about 250 watts when conditions are perfect.
     • A gas generator can produce around 2000 watts.

3. Compare Efficiency:

   • We can find out how efficient an energy source is by looking at how much useful energy ($E_{useful}$) it gives us compared to the total energy used ($E_{input}$).
   • The formula for efficiency is: $\text{Efficiency} = \frac{E_{useful}}{E_{input}} \times 100\%$

Some Quick Facts:

• Renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, usually have efficiencies between 15% and 25%.
• Fossil fuels can have efficiencies from 20% to 40%, depending on the type of technology used.

By looking at these numbers, we can see which energy sources work better for different purposes.