Thermal Question -- Carnot Engine

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the work output and efficiency of a Carnot engine that extracts 745 J from a 592 K reservoir and rejects 485 J to a cooler reservoir, operating at 16 cycles per second. The work done by the engine is determined using the equation W = Qh - Qc, resulting in W = 260 J per cycle. The efficiency of the Carnot engine is derived using the formula η = 1 - (Tc/Th), where Tc is the temperature of the cold reservoir and Th is the temperature of the hot reservoir. The discussion clarifies that "rejects" refers to the heat expelled to the cold reservoir, which is essential for understanding the second law of thermodynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Carnot cycle and its principles
  • Familiarity with the second law of thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of heat transfer concepts
  • Ability to perform basic thermodynamic calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Carnot efficiency formula
  • Learn about real-world applications of Carnot engines
  • Explore the implications of the second law of thermodynamics in engineering
  • Investigate other types of heat engines and their efficiencies
USEFUL FOR

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

StrSpeed
Messages
15
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A Carnot engine extracts 745 J from a 592-K reservoir during each cycle and rejects 485J to a cool reservoir. It operates 16 cycles per second. Find work, efficient, temp of cool reservoir.

Homework Equations


W = Qh - Qc
n=Wout/Qh

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm sure I can do the problem I just don't understand what the problem means by rejects. If someone could explain possibly that would be absolutely fantastic. I've spent a good deal of time reading and googling but I am still missing it.

I just can't seem to figure out how to get the 485J and 592K to relate.

Thank you so much!

I've gotten now :
W = 745J - 485J | This I know is right

Qc = Qh - W ===> Qc = 592K-W (from above)
I'm not sure this is right, and the answer isn't in the back of the book.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Let my try to clarify it for you.

A heat engine is a machine that transforms heat to work. You should know (2º law of thermodynamics) that heat cannot be completely transformed to work, there has to be some "wasted heat" in this case the heat flowing to the cold reservoir. Otherwise you would be violating the second law. You can prove that maximum efficiency is achieved if the process is reversible, like on this case, a Carnot cycle, and you can also derive the expression for the efficiency of the carnot cycle, which is always less than 1, like it's supposed to.

##\eta = \frac{W}{Q_H} = \frac{Q_H-Q_C}{Q_H} = 1 - \frac{T_C}{T_H} < 1##

You can see a complete derivation of this expresion here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnot_heat_engine

As you can see, from this formula you can get the efficiency from the work which you know how to calculate, then you can use this to get the temperature of the cold reservior.

I hope this helped you!
 
StrSpeed said:
I just don't understand what the problem means by rejects.
It just means the heat that flows to the cold reservoir.
 
Thank you two both so much. I feel ridiculous now.

:oops:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K