Question

In Joule's experiment, heat is converted into:

• A. Light
• B. Work
• C. Entropy
• D. Internal energy

Hint:

In Joule's experiment, the heat produced by mechanical work was found to be equivalent to the increase in the internal energy of the system, solidifying the principle of energy conservation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

In Joule's experiment, heat is converted into internal energy in the form of mechanical work. The experiment demonstrated the mechanical equivalent of heat, where the heat generated by friction was shown to be equivalent to the work done in moving a piston. This process does not result in the generation of light, entropy, or additional heat directly; instead, the energy is stored as internal energy in the system.
Joule's experiment provided a foundational understanding of the relationship between heat and work, supporting the principle of conservation of energy. The heat generated through mechanical work was observed to increase the internal energy of the system.
Therefore, the correct answer is: Internal energy.