If a machine is never 100% efficient transforming energy into work because part of the energy is converted into heat, does it mean an electric heater is 100% efficient? @[email protected]

    • Admiral Patrick
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      9 months ago

      I’m honestly not clear if the visible portion eventually turns to heat or not (in a reasonable timeframe anyway), but the bulk of those emissions are in the infrared spectrum which you will feel as heat or will be absorbed by other objects which will radiate the heat through convection.

      That’s why I said “technically” and “roughly” in regards to 100% efficiency. I’m answering a shower thought in an ELI5 kind of way, not writing a thesis.