Oklahoma Cosmetology Board Practice Exam

What form of energy does a hair dryer use?

1. Mechanical energy

2. Solar energy

3. Electrical energy

4. Nuclear energy

The correct answer is: Electrical energy

A hair dryer operates primarily using electrical energy. This type of energy is converted into heat and mechanical energy to dry and style hair. When you plug in the hair dryer, the electrical energy flows through the appliance and gets converted by electrical components into heat, which helps to evaporate moisture from the hair. Simultaneously, the electrical energy powers a small motor that drives a fan, creating the airflow needed to aid in the drying process. While mechanical energy is involved in the operation due to the action of moving air, it originates from the electrical energy being converted. Solar energy is not applicable here, as hair dryers do not harness sunlight for power. Similarly, nuclear energy is not relevant, as hair dryers are not designed to operate from nuclear reactions. Thus, the correct characterization of the energy used in a hair dryer is electrical energy.