Question

The temperature of the cold and hot reservoirs between which a Carnot refrigerator operates are −73°C and 270°C, respectively. What is its coefficient of performance?

a) 4.0
b) 3.0
c) 2.0
d) 1.0

Answer 1

The coefficient of performance (COP) of the Carnot refrigerator operating between -73°C and 270°C is approximately 4.0. The correct answer is a) 4.0.

Step-by-step explanation:

The coefficient of performance of a Carnot refrigerator is calculated using the formula COP = Tc / (Th - Tc), with temperatures in kelvins.

The coefficient of performance (COP) of a Carnot refrigerator can be calculated using the formula:

COP = Th / (Th - Tc)

Where Th is the temperature of the hot reservoir and Tc is the temperature of the cold reservoir. In this case, the temperatures of the cold and hot reservoirs are -73°C and 270°C, respectively. Plugging these values into the formula, we get:

COP = 270°C / (270°C - (-73°C))

Simplifying the expression, we find that the COP is approximately 4.0.