2020 Phase-2 ThermodynamicsCarnot engine and its efficiency Medium Question 14 of 54 in Thermodynamics

The efficiency of a Carnot engine depends upon

A the temperature of the source only
B the temperature of the sink only
C the temperatures of the source and sink
D the volume of the cylinder of the engine

The answer is C.

Solution

The efficiency of a Carnot engine is $\eta=1-\dfrac{T_2}{T_1}$, where $T_1$ is the source temperature and $T_2$ is the sink temperature — it depends on both temperatures.

Concept Carnot engine and its efficiency

Thermodynamics in past papers

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