Calculating temperatures of reservoirs in Carnot engine

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the temperatures of reservoirs in a Carnot engine using an ideal monatomic gas as the working substance. The isothermal expansion doubles the volume, while the adiabatic expansion has a volume ratio of 5.7. The work output of the engine is established at 9x105 J per cycle. Key equations include the work-energy relationship and the constant temperature-volume relationship for adiabatic processes, leading to the conclusion that the lower temperature is approximately 70K.

PREREQUISITES
  • Carnot engine principles
  • Ideal gas laws
  • Thermodynamic processes (isothermal and adiabatic)
  • Understanding of monatomic ideal gas properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Carnot efficiency formula
  • Explore the implications of the ideal gas law in thermodynamic cycles
  • Learn about the significance of the heat capacity ratio (γ) in thermodynamics
  • Investigate real-world applications of Carnot engines and their efficiency limits
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Students of thermodynamics, engineers working with heat engines, and anyone interested in the principles of energy conversion in Carnot cycles.

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Homework Statement


An ideal monatomic gas is the working substance of a Carnot engine. During the isothermal expansion, the volume doubles. The ratio of the final volume to the initial volume in the adiabatic expansion is 5.7. The work output of the engine is 9x10^{5}J in each cycle. Compute the temperature of the reservoirs between which the engine operates.

Homework Equations


W_{eng}=\left|Q_{h}\right| - \left|Q_{c}\right|
Since the engine is a Carnot engine, we know that Q=0 for the adiabatic compression and adiabatic expansion. We also know that for legs 1 and 3 (isotherms):
\left|W_{n}\right|=nRT ln\left(\frac{V_{f}}{V_{i}}\right)
and that Q=W for these isotherms.

From the equation for the work of the engine, we can derive a relation between T_{c} and T_{h}. From there on, we can use
TV^{\gamma-1}=constant

The Attempt at a Solution


Ok. The initial volume of the system is V, and the problem states that at the end this will be equal to 2V. So the ratio of (Vf/Vi) = 2. Thus,
\left|Q_{1}\right|=nR ln \left(2\right)
And here's where my confusion begins. The problem states that the ratio of the final volume to the initial volume in the adiabatic expansion is 5.7. To me, this means that (Vf/Vi)=(1/5.7) (because after isothermal compression, the system should go back to the initial volume V, correct?). So,
\left|Q_{2}\right|=nR ln \left(1/5.7\right)

But I attempted this, and it simply didn't work. I used \gamma=\frac{5}{3}, which is correct for monatomic ideal gas.

Can anyone tell me what I am interpreting wrong? I know the lower temperature is in the range of ~70K, but I've tried a few things and I'm unable to find it.

Many thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There are two isothermal and two adiabatic processes in the Carnot cycle. After the isothermal compression, we have an adiabatic compression to return to the original state.
 

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