In a Carnot engine, what is the efficiency dependent on?
Practice Questions
Q1
In a Carnot engine, what is the efficiency dependent on?
The work done
The temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs
The type of working substance
The volume of the gas
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
In a Carnot engine, what is the efficiency dependent on?
Step 1: Understand what a Carnot engine is. It is a theoretical engine that operates between two temperature reservoirs: a hot reservoir and a cold reservoir.
Step 2: Identify the two temperatures involved: Th (temperature of the hot reservoir) and Tc (temperature of the cold reservoir).
Step 3: Learn the formula for the efficiency (η) of a Carnot engine, which is η = 1 - (Tc/Th).
Step 4: Recognize that the efficiency depends on the ratio of the cold reservoir temperature (Tc) to the hot reservoir temperature (Th).
Step 5: Conclude that to increase the efficiency of the Carnot engine, you can either increase Th or decrease Tc.
