Chapter 14: Problem 75
Two heat engines \(A\) and \(B\) have their sources at \(1000 \mathrm{~K}\) and \(1100 \mathrm{~K}\) and their sinks are at \(500 \mathrm{~K}\) and \(400 \mathrm{~K}\) respectively. What is true about their efficiencies? (a) \(\eta_{A}=\eta_{B}\) (b) \(\eta_{A}>\eta_{B}\) (c) \(\eta_{A}<\eta_{B}\) (d) Cannot say
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Efficiency Formula
Calculate Efficiency of Engine A
Calculate Efficiency of Engine B
Compare Efficiencies
Determine the Correct Answer
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Heat Engines
- In the case of heat engines, the primary focus is on converting thermal energy into mechanical work efficiently.
- The engines typically include components like pistons, turbines, or other mechanisms that convert energy into work throughout the cycle.
- It's important to grasp that no heat engine can convert 100% of heat energy into work due to inherent limitations like friction and resistance.
Efficiency Calculation
- The efficiency of a heat engine tells us what fraction of the absorbed heat is converted into useful work.
- A higher efficiency signifies a more effective engine that loses less energy to the surroundings.
- Practically, perfect efficiency is never achievable due to energy losses from factors like friction and irreversible processes.
Carnot Cycle
- The cycle begins with an isothermal expansion where the engine absorbs heat from the hot reservoir.
- This is followed by an adiabatic expansion where the engine continues to do work without exchanging heat.
- Subsequently, an isothermal compression occurs where the engine releases heat to the cold reservoir.
- Finally, during adiabatic compression, the cycle is completed without any heat exchange, bringing the system back to its original state.