Concept explainers
(a)
The actual maximum efficiency of the
(a)
Answer to Problem 52A
The actual maximum efficiency of the heat engine is
Explanation of Solution
Given:
The temperature of the hot source
Temperature of the sink
Formula used:
The maximum possible efficiency of any heat engine is equal to the ideal efficiency of the engine.
The ideal efficiency of a heat engine is given by the expression,
Calculation:
Express the temperatures of the hot reservoir and the sink in Kelvin.
Substitute the values of the variables in the formula and calculate the ideal efficiency.
Express the efficiency of the engine in percentage.
Conclusion:
Thus, the actual maximum efficiency of the heat engine is
(b)
The error made in choosing temperature scales.
(b)
Answer to Problem 52A
The scientist had failed to convert the temperature in Celsius to kelvin.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
The efficiency of a heat engine is dependent on the temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs as is shown by the following expression:
The above equation would give the ideal efficiency when the temperatures are expressed in Kelvin as is shown in part (a).
However, if the same expression is solved using the Celsius scale, this would give a false value for the efficiency.
Or, the efficiency of the engine would be
The correct efficiency is, however
Conclusion:
Thus, the person failed to convert the temperatures of the hot and the cold reservoirs into Kelvin, which led to claim an efficiency of
Chapter 24 Solutions
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
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