The Curiosity rover landed on Mars on August 6, 2012, and is currently exploring the surface. Curiosity uses a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) to provide power for all operations. The Curiosity RTG has a maximum output of 110 watts [W], and loses 2000 watts [W] as heat. By comparison, Viking 1 spacecraft launched in 1975. The Viking 1 has an input power of 0.75 horsepower [hp] and loses 525 watts [W] to heat. Which device is more efficient?
Latent heat and phase change
A physical process in which a conversion among the basic states or phases of matter, i.e., solid, liquid, and gas takes place under the effect of a certain temperature and pressure is referred to as a phase change. Generally, the phase change of a substance occurs when heat transfer takes place between the substance and its surroundings. Based on the direction in which heat transfer takes place, different types of phase changes can occur.
Triple Point of Water
The branch of physics in which observer deals with temperature related properties is called thermodynamics.
Boiling Point of Water
Everyday examples of boiling is, boiling milk, heating water. One would have observed that when we heat water it goes through various stages and at one point bubbles show in water, and water keeps splashing with bubbles bursting, we in layman terms say that water is boiling.
Freezing Point of Water
In general, the freezing point of water is 0° Celsius, or 32° Fahrenheit. This is the temperature at which water will ordinarily change from its liquid state to its solid state (ice). However, there are certain conditions that can affect the freezing point of water. For example, a liquid may be supercooled or contain impurities so that it does not freeze at the ordinary freezing point.
The Curiosity rover landed on Mars on August 6, 2012, and is currently exploring the surface. Curiosity uses a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) to provide power for all operations. The Curiosity RTG has a maximum output of 110 watts [W], and loses 2000 watts [W] as heat. By comparison, Viking 1 spacecraft launched in 1975. The Viking 1 has an input power of 0.75 horsepower [hp] and loses 525 watts [W] to heat. Which device is more efficient?
Calculate the efficiency of the curiosity RTG.
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