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Chapter 5: Problem 34

Explain what a heat engine does and what a heat mover does.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Question: Describe the primary differences between a heat engine and a heat mover in terms of their functionality and working principles.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of a Heat Engine

A heat engine is a device that converts heat energy into other forms of energy, usually mechanical energy. It operates by exploiting the temperature difference between two reservoirs: a hot reservoir (source) and a cold reservoir (sink). During this process, heat is transferred from the hot reservoir to the cold reservoir, while a part of the heat energy is converted into useful work.
02

Definition of a Heat Mover

A heat mover, also known as a heat pump or refrigerator, operates opposite to a heat engine. It is a device that transfers heat energy from a cold reservoir (source) to a hot reservoir (sink) against its natural flow. The heat mover consumes energy in the form of work to transfer heat from the colder side to the warmer side.
03

Understand the Working Principles of Heat Engine

The fundamental principle behind the operation of a heat engine is the concept of a thermodynamic cycle. The heat engine undergoes repeated cyclic processes involving heat absorption, conversion to work, releasing of heat to the cold reservoir, and returning to its initial state. A common example of a heat engine is a steam engine, where water is heated to generate steam, and the expansion of steam drives a piston to create mechanical energy.
04

Understand the Working Principles of Heat Mover

The working principle behind a heat mover is to transfer heat from a lower temperature to a higher temperature. These devices consume work (energy) to overcome the natural flow of heat from high to low temperature. As a result, the cold reservoir becomes colder, and the hot reservoir becomes hotter. Heat movers are commonly used in household appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners.
05

Comparing the Two Devices

While heat engines are designed to convert thermal energy into other forms of energy (primarily mechanical energy), the primary objective of a heat mover is to transfer heat between two reservoirs against its natural flow. It is important to remember that heat engines will always discard some heat energy as waste, while heat movers consume work to achieve their goal.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In winter, the amount of internal energy a heat pump delivers to a house is greater than the electrical energy it uses. Does this violate the law of conservation of energy? Explain.

A company decides to make a novelty glass thermometer that uses water instead of mercury or alcohol. (a) The thermometer would include a warning informing the user that it should not be exposed to temperatures below \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Why? (b) Suppose the thermometer is taken outside where the temperature is \(1^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Describe how the level of the water would change as it adjusts to the new temperature and how at some point it would behave very differently than a mercury- or alcohol-filled thermometer.

Describe how changing the air pressure affects the temperature at which water boils.

Air is allowed to escape from an inflated tire. Is the temperature of the escaping air higher than, lower than, or equal to the temperature of the air inside the tire? Why?

When a parcel of water freezes to become ice, it becomes more ordered and its entropy decreases. Does this violate the alternate form of second law of thermodynamics? Explain.
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