Question

A heat engine operating between a pair of hot and cold reservoirs with respective temperatures of 500 K and 200 K will have what maximum efficiency?

A) 60%
B) 50%
C) 40%
D) 30%

Answer 1

The maximum efficiency of the heat engine is 60%.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that,

The temperature of hot reservoir = 500 K

The temperature of cold reservoir = 200 K

We need to find the maximum efficiency. The formula for the efficiency of heat engine is given by :

`\eta=1-(T_c)/(T_H)`

Put all the values,

`\eta=1-(200)/(500)\\\\\eta=0.6`

or

`\eta=60\%`

So, the maximum efficiency of the heat engine is 60%.