Which scientific principle was fundamental to the improvement of the steam engine by James Watt?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: The understanding of latent heat and the separate condenser
Watt realized that Newcomen's engine wasted energy by repeatedly cooling the main cylinder. By adding a separate condenser, he kept the cylinder hot, drastically increasing fuel efficiency and making steam power viable for widespread factory use.
Keep practicing
More Origins of Industrialization questions
- The 'Agricultural Revolution' preceded industrialization by:
- Eli Whitney’s invention of the Cotton Gin in 1793 had what significant economic impact?
- Why did the Industrial Revolution spread more slowly to Continental Europe than in Britain?
- Richard Arkwright’s 'Water Frame' was a turning point in industrial history because it:
- The 'Zollverein' was a 19th-century German customs union that helped industrialize the region by:
- Which of the following was a key feature of the 'American System' of manufacturing?