Connecting two Carnot engions-

[C.E]

1. The efficiency of a cyclic engine is given by the work done by the engine, divided
by the heat intake from the surroundings. One Carnot engine drives another in series. Draw a schematic diagram of the combined engine and give an expression for the overall efficiency of this arrangement which contains only the efficiencies of the individual engines.

3. Hi, I have managed to draw the diagram but am really struggling with the next bit of the question. Let e1, e2 be the efficiencies of engions 1 and 2 respectively and let e be the overall efficiency.

I know that e\ 1=w1/Q_H and e2=w2/(Q_h-w1) but I am struggling to find e in terms of e1 and e2, please help.

 

[Mapes]

Try writing the efficiency of the two engines in combination, then express the variables in terms of e_1 and e_2.

 

[C.E]

What do you mean by writing them "in combination"?

I get that overall e= (w1+w2)/Qh = e1+w2/Qh but I can't get w2/Qh solely in terms of e2, any ideas?

 

[Mapes]

Keep trying, it's possible.

 

[C.E]

Ok, here we go!

w2/Qh= (|Qh|-|w1|-|Qc|)/|Qh|=(-|Qc|-|w1|)/|Qh| +1 =1-e1-|Qc|/|Qh|

Therefore (w1+w2)/Qh= 1-|Qc|/|Qh| =(|Qh|-|Qc|)/|Qh| = (w1+w2)/Qh and I am back to

the beginning again. Can you see what I should be doing differently? I can't see any other ways of trying to manipulate the

expression.

 

[C.E]

Are there any relevant formulas I have not tried in my above attempt?

 

[Mapes]

Nope, it's just a matter of manipulating the equations you already have.

 

[C.E]

Could you please be a bit more specific? (I Have been stuck on this for a while and so I think I need a push in the right direction). I don't think I will get there otherwise.

 

[Mapes]

What's the relationship between the heat input to the first engine and the heat input to the second engine?

 

[C.E]

let Qh(1), Qh(2) be the heat inputs for engions 1 and 2 respectively.

Qh(2)=Qh(1)-w1. Is this right?

I thought I was already using that when I said e2= w2/(Qh-w1).

 

[Mapes]

Right; can't you go straight from

e=\frac{w_1+w_2}{Q_{h,1}}

to something containing just e_1 and e_2? Where are you getting stuck?

 

[C.E]

This is what I keep doing and where I am getting stuck.

e=\frac{w1+w2}{Qh(1)}

e=e1+\frac{w2}{Qh(1)}

e=e1+\frac{w2}{Qh(2)+w1}

e=e1+e2+\frac{w2}{w1}

This is where I get stuck.

I can't get rid of the w2/w1 pluss this seems wrong as two engions of efficiency=0.5 would violate the second law if this formula holds.

 

[Mapes]

Then try something else! I tried a few approaches before something worked. I don't mean to be unhelpful, but just giving you the answer would deprive you of the experience of working it out yourself.

 

[C.E]

Ok, I will try new approaches but just out of interest the comment I made at the end of my last post about the second law do you agree with it? If so what have I done wrong (though it may not show the desired result I still thought my Algebra was correct)?

 

[Mapes]

No, I don't agree;

\frac{A}{B+C}\neq\frac{A}{B}+\frac{A}{C}

 

[C.E]

Oh, yeah, my Algebra was wrong afterall. Sorry about this but I do not actually know what else I can try, any further hints?