Question
Question: On what factors does the efficiency of the Carnot engine depend?...
On what factors does the efficiency of the Carnot engine depend?
Solution
First we will state the definition of Carnot engine. We will discuss it in detail. We will also discuss in detail about efficiency and what is meant by Carnot efficiency.Later we will state the factors it depends on.
Complete step by step answer:
Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot proposed the Carnot engine as a theoretical thermodynamic cycle in 1824. According to Carnot, a heated body that generates heat and a cold body to which the caloric is delivered are both necessary, and the process produces mechanical work.
A Carnot engine, which is a "completely reversible engine" that has the highest thermal efficiency, is one that only has these features.The ratio of the temperatures of the two heat reservoirs with which the system interacts during the cycle determines the efficiency of the ideal heat engine - the Carnot engine, which is the simplest.
Hence it depends on temperature.
Additional information:
The maximum thermal efficiency that a heat engine can accomplish as permitted by the Second Law of Thermodynamics is known as Carnot efficiency.When the heat engine is working between two temperatures, the Carnot Efficiency is the theoretical maximum efficiency that can be achieved:
The operating temperature of the high-temperature reservoir (THOT ).The operating temperature of the low-temperature reservoir (TCOLD).The following is a general expression for a heat engine's efficiency:
E=QhotWork
Where, Qhot is the heat energy.
Note: Many students have a common confusion if the fluid inside the engine also affects the efficiency. That’s not true, The nature of the working fluid is unimportant because this engine operates in cycles, with the working fluid returning to its original state at the end of each cycle.