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Chapter 15: 15-9Q (page 412)

The oceans contain a tremendous amount of thermal (internal) energy. Why, in general, is it not possible to put this energy to useful work?

Short Answer

Expert verified

It is not possible to utilize thermal energy from the ocean for useful work.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding work extracted from the ocean water

In this problem, if the surface temperature water is both the source as well as the exhaust, then the amount of work extracted will be equal to zero.

02

Evaluation of the tremendous amount of thermal energy present in the ocean

In order to obtain thermal energy from the ocean, a heat engine is needed to operate between two different temperatures. When the temperature variations within the surface and under the ocean water are to be used, it would lead to considerable hindrance, high expense, potential environmental difficulties, and many more.

On the other hand, if temperature differences between tropical water and Arctic waters are used, then due to large distances, several obstacles will occur in this process.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

(a) What happens if you remove the lid of a bottle containing chlorine gas? (b) Does the reverse process ever happen? Why or why not? (c) Can you think of two other examples of irreversibility?

Question: In an isobaric compression of an ideal gas,

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(b) the internal energy of the gas remains constant.

(c) no work is done on the gas.

(d) work is done on the gas.

(e) work is done by the gas.

Question: (I) What is the change in entropy of 320 g of steam at 100°C when it is condensed to water at 100°C?

Question:(I) The exhaust temperature of a heat engine is 230°C. What is the high temperature if the Carnot efficiency is 34%?

(III) A bowl contains many red, orange, and green jelly beans, in equal numbers. You are to make a line of 3 jelly beans by randomly taking 3 beans from the bowl.

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