Transformity

Key takeaways

Transformity belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Transformity to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Transformity from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In 1996 H.T. Odum defined transformity as,

"the emergy of one type required to make a unit of energy of another type. For example, since 3 coal emjoules (cej) of coal and 1 cej of services are required to generate 1 J of electricity, the coal transformity of electricity is 4 cej/J"

The concept of transformity was first introduced by David M. Scienceman in collaboration with Howard T. Odum. In 1987 Scienceman proposed that the phrases, "energy quality", "energy quality factor", and "energy transformation ratio", all used by H.T. Odum, be replaced by the word "transformity" (p. 261). This approach aims to solve a long-standing issue about the relation of qualitative phenomena to quantitative phenomena often analysed in the physical sciences, which in turn is a synthesis of rationalism with phenomenology. That is to say that it aims to quantify quality.

Transformity: the rationalization of quality

Definition of transformity in words Scienceman then defined transformity as,

"a quantitative variable describing the measurable property of a form of energy, its ability to amplify as feedback, relative to the source energy consumed in its formation, under maximum power conditions. As a quantitative variable analogous to thermodynamic temperature, transformity requires specification of units." (1987, p. 261. My emphasis).

In 1996 H.T. Odum defined transformity as,

"the emergy of one type required to make a unit of energy of another type. For example, since 3 coal emjoules (cej) of coal and 1 cej of services are required to generate 1 J of electricity, the coal transformity of electricity is 4 cej/J"

G.P. Genoni expanded on this definition and maintained that, "the energy input of one kind required to sustain one unit of energy of another kind, is used to quantify hierarchical position" (1997, p. 97). According to Scienceman, the concept of transformity introduces a new basic dimension into physics (1987, p. 261). However, there is ambiguity in the dimensional analysis of transformity as Bastianoni et al. (2007) state that transformity is a dimensionless ratio.

Definition as a ratio One part of the rationalist viewpoint associated with modernity and science is to contrast qualitatively different phenomena under transformation through quantitative ratios, with the aim of uncovering any constancy amidst the transformation change. Like the efficiency ratio, transformity is quantitatively defined by a simple input-output ratio. However the transformity ratio is the inverse of efficiency and involves both indirect and direct energy flows rather than simply direct input-output energy ratio of energy efficiency. This is to say that it is defined as the ratio of emergy input to energy output. Original version:: Transformity = emergy input energy output {\displaystyle {\mbox{Transformity}}={\frac {\mbox{emergy input}}{\mbox{energy output}}}}

Development However, it was realised that the term "energy output" refers to both the useful energy output and the non-useful energy output. (Note: that as given by P.K. Nag, an alternative name for 'useful energy' is 'availability' or exergy, and an alternative name for 'non-useful energy' is 'unavailability', or anergy (Nag 1984, p. 156)). But as E. Sciubba and S. Ulgiati observed, the notion of transformity meant to capture the emergy invested per unit product, or useful output. The concept of Transformity was therefore further specified as the ratio of "input emergy dissipated (availability used up)" to the "unit output exergy" (Sciubba and Ulgiati 2005, p. 1957). For Jørgensen (2000, p. 61) transformity is a strong indicator of the efficiency of the system. Revised version: Transformity = emergy input exergy output {\displaystyle {\mbox{Transformity}}={\frac {\mbox{emergy input}}{\mbox{exergy output}}}} or T r = E m E x {\displaystyle Tr={\frac {E_{m}}{E_{x}}}}

(after Giannantoni 2002, p. 8). Substituting in the mathematical definition of emergy given in that article.

T r = ∫ t = − ∞ t 0 P x d t E x {\displaystyle Tr={\frac {\int _{t=-\infty }^{t_{0}}P_{x}\,dt}{E_{x}}}}

Contemporary development

Two transformities Albertina Lourenci and João Antonio Zuffo from the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering at São Paulo have posited that there are two transformity values; T r e x {\displaystyle Tr_{ex}} and T r t h e t a {\displaystyle Tr_{theta}} (Lourenci and Zuffo 2004, p. 411).

T r e x {\displaystyle Tr_{ex}} : compensates for the dissipation of exergy, and is defined in words as the Quality Factor which takes into account the emerging Quality associated to other forms of Energy

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Transformity

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Transformity claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Transformity before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Transformity ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Transformity

In research: Transformity appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Transformity in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Transformity is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Emergy, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Transformity outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

How to study Transformity in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Transformity means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Transformity out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Transformity in simple terms?

In 1996 H.T. Odum defined transformity as, "the emergy of one type required to make a unit of energy of another type.

Why does Transformity matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Transformity?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Transformity.