Heat Engine Problem. Does the volume of a reservoir matter?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Heat Engine Problem, specifically the impact of reservoir volume on the maximum work output of a heat engine operating between a water tank and a river. The problem involves calculating the Carnot efficiency using the initial temperature of the tank at 100 degrees Celsius and the river temperature at 10 degrees Celsius. The volume of the reservoir, given as 1*10^3 m^3, is questioned for its relevance in determining work output. The participants emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between energy, mass, and temperature change in the context of heat engines.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Carnot efficiency in thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of temperature conversion from Celsius to Kelvin
  • Familiarity with the concepts of work and energy in heat engines
  • Basic principles of heat transfer and thermodynamic systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Carnot efficiency formula and its application in heat engines
  • Study the relationship between mass, temperature change, and energy in thermodynamic systems
  • Explore the implications of reservoir volume on heat engine performance
  • Learn about the second law of thermodynamics and its relevance to heat engines
USEFUL FOR

Students studying thermodynamics, engineers working with heat engines, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of energy conversion and efficiency in thermal systems.

fazerland
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Okay, I thought that I got these two easy problems but for some reason I'm making them hard.

The first problem reads like this.
"A heat engine operates between a tank containing 1*10^3 m^3 of water and a river at a constant temperature of 10 degrees celsius. If the temperature of the tank is initially 100 degrees Celsius, what is the maximum amount of work that the heat engine can perform?"

At first I thought that I would just find the efficiency of the engine by using the temperatures after converting them to degrees Kelvin and then use it to find the work. But that information about the volume is bothering me. Did the author put it for some reason in there? If so what would I use it for exactly and how?

The second problem is pretty similar except there are two tanks and both of them have the same volume.

If anyone knows how to deal with these problems and could respond I would be so grateful.
 
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The amount of energy in the system is the mass of the tank times the delta-T.

The problem may want you to be considering the carnot efficiency of a heat engine that uses a source and sink at those temperatures. Remember when you calculate that, the temperature is not constant...

Btw, we have a homework help section...
 

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