There are no blades in a garbage disposal, instead, there are lugs placed on a spinning plate that use force to push the food against a grinding ring. The grinding ring breaks down the food into small particles so that they can reach the wastewater pipe. The food reaches this pipe by being flushed down with water.
Potential Energy: This type of energy is found in the switch and the wires connecting it to the disposal when it is off. When the disposal is not turned on it is potential energy because it is not running.
Kinetic Energy: This type of energy is displayed when the garbage disposal is turned on and functioning, when it is grinding the food and sending it into the wastewater pipe.
The input is the switch that turns on the disposal connected to your electricity when it is turned on. The output is this switch when it is turned off. The work is the energy that makes the wheel and grinding ring turn to break down the food.
The law of conservation of energy is exhibited because the garbage disposal will continue to work from the moment a person presses the switch, until the person turns the switch off. You are not required to hold down the switch while it is working, so it is mechanical energy until you turn it on.
Impellers/lugs are put on the spinning plate and force the food against the grinding ring. They are what help the food in a whole arrive to the ring where it is broken down.
The Grinding Ring is what is used to break down the food into such small pieces that they are almost liquified. The food needs to be this small so that it can fit in the wastewater pipe.
