2023 ThermodynamicsCarnot Engine and Efficiency Easy Question 8 of 54 in Thermodynamics

A Carnot engine has an efficiency of 50% when its source is at a temperature $327^\circ C$. The temperature of the sink is:

A $200^\circ C$
B $27^\circ C$
C $15^\circ C$
D $100^\circ C$

The answer is B.

Solution

$\eta=1-\frac{T_{sink}}{T_{source}}$ gives $T_{sink}=300\ K=27^\circ C$.

$\eta=1-\frac{T_{sink}}{T_{source}}=0.5\Rightarrow\frac{T_{sink}}{T_{source}}=0.5$ $\Rightarrow T_{sink}=\frac{1}{2}\times(273+327)=\frac{1}{2}\times600=300\ K=27^\circ C$

Concept Carnot efficiency

Thermodynamics in past papers

54 questions from this chapter have appeared across 26 exam years.