Question

An ideal heat engine has an efficiency of 16.7 percent. It operates between two heat reservoirs differing in temperature by 73.6°C. What is the temperature of the hot reservoir? (in K)

a. 200 K
b. 400 K
c. 600 K
d. 800 K

Answer 1

The temperature of the hot reservoir of an ideal heat engine can be calculated using the formula for efficiency and the temperature difference between the hot and cold reservoirs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The efficiency of an ideal heat engine is given by the formula:

Efficiency = 1 - (Tc/Th)

Where Tc is the temperature of the cold reservoir and Th is the temperature of the hot reservoir.

Given that the efficiency is 16.7 percent and the temperature difference is 73.6°C, we can solve for the hot reservoir temperature:

16.7 percent = 1 - (73.6/Th)

0.167 = 73.6/Th

Th = 73.6 / 0.167 = 440 K

Therefore, the temperature of the hot reservoir is 440 K, which is option b.