Submitted by darthatheos t3_10ve1np in space
[deleted] t1_j7hh9tb wrote
Reply to comment by certain_people in Rolls-Royce Nuclear Engine Could Power Quick Trips to the Moon and Mars by darthatheos
Seems reasonable to me? Light is zero kg, so infinite energy per kg. I can't put uranium in my fuel tank either. Just not practical for the everyday person.
moral_luck t1_j7hxh0p wrote
Nuclear reactors use light as the energy for power.
Coal generators use light as the energy for power.
Natural gas generators use light as the energy for power.
Geothermal generators use light as the energy for power.
Light is the way energy is transferred from one atom or molecule to another atom or molecule.
Heat is light.
For example:
Coal is burned, the chemical reaction creates lots of photons. Those photons get absorbed by water molecules. The water molecules become excited. Excited water molecules move faster. Faster moving water molecules have more kinetic energy. Steam is the result. High velocity steam spins a turbine. The turbine spins a magnetic field inside an coil. This produces electricity.
Energy density is really a measure of the number and energy of the photons generated by a certain fuel. Light is not the fuel (hint: fusion).
[deleted] t1_j7i6i75 wrote
Fusion is what happens on the sun
Not what we do on earth
moral_luck t1_j7i7s57 wrote
Yes, exactly. Solar energy is fusion.
moral_luck t1_j7ia3xp wrote
Depends on the car.
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