The maximum efficiency of a heat engine is determined by the Carnot cycle and is given by the formula: maximum efficiency = 1 - (Tc/Th), where Tc is the temperature of the cold reservoir and Th is the temperature of the hot reservoir. This means that the efficiency can never be 100%, as some energy will always be lost to the environment.
The second law of thermodynamics states that in any energy conversion, some energy will always be lost as heat to the environment. The maximum efficiency of a heat engine is limited by this law, as it is impossible to convert all of the energy into work without any losses.
No, the maximum efficiency of a heat engine can never be greater than 1. This would violate the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed.
The maximum efficiency of a heat engine can be improved by reducing the temperature difference between the hot and cold reservoirs, using a more efficient working fluid, and minimizing internal friction and heat losses within the engine.
No, the maximum efficiency of a heat engine is independent of the type of fuel used. It is solely determined by the temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs and the Carnot efficiency formula. However, the type of fuel can affect the practical efficiency of the engine due to factors such as combustion efficiency and energy density.