Chapter 3: Q12DQ (page 676)

What would be the efficiency of a Carnot engine operating with $T_{H} = T_{C}$ ? What would be the efficiency if $T_{C} = 0 K$ and $T_{H}$ were any temperature above 0K? Interpret your answers.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The Carnot cycle would be 100% efficient.

Step by step solution

Step 1:Definition of Carnot engine

The Carnot engine is the most efficient engine which is theoretically possible. The efficiency depends only upon the absolute temperatures of the hot and cold heat reservoirs between which it operates.

Step 2:Efficiency of Carnot engine

If $T_{H} = T_{C}, e = 0$ .

The Carnot engine cannot operate unless the two heat reservoirs are at different temperatures. If $T_{C} = 0 K, e = 1$ . If the low temperature reservoir were at absolute zero, no waste heat $Q_{C}$ would be deposited there and the Carnot cycle would be efficient.

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What would be the efficiency of a Carnot engine operating with $T_{H} = T_{C}$ ? What would be the efficiency if $T_{C} = 0 K$ and $T_{H}$ were any temperature above 0K? Interpret your answers.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Step 1:Definition of Carnot engine

Step 2:Efficiency of Carnot engine

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What would be the efficiency of a Carnot engine operating with TH=TC? What would be the efficiency if TC=0Kand THwere any temperature above 0K? Interpret your answers.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Step 1:Definition of Carnot engine

Step 2:Efficiency of Carnot engine

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Energy Physics

Thermodynamics

Circular Motion and Gravitation

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Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

What would be the efficiency of a Carnot engine operating with $T_{H} = T_{C}$ ? What would be the efficiency if $T_{C} = 0 K$ and $T_{H}$ were any temperature above 0K? Interpret your answers.