Question

A gasoline engine operates at a temperature of 270°c and exhausts at 180°c. calculate the maximum efficiency of this engine. (note that the celsius scale is used.)

Answer 1

16.6 is the answer. Not 17.0 do not round.

Answer 2

Given:
Th = 270 °C = 270+273 = 543 K, hot temperature
Tc = 180 °C = 180+273 = 453 K, cold temperature

According to the Carnot theorem, the maximum efficiency achievable by a heat engine between a hot and cold temperature is
η = 1 - Tc/Th
= 1 - 453/543
= 0.166 = 17% (approx)

Answer: 17% (nearest integer)