Question

A heat engine operating between a pair of hot and cold reservoirs with respective temperatures of 500 K and 200 K will have what maximum efficiency?
A) 60%
B) 50%
C) 40%
D) 30%

Answer 1

Answer:

The maximum efficiency of the heat engine is 60%.

Explanation:

Given that,

The temperature of hot reservoir = 500 K

The temperature of cold reservoir = 200 K

We need to find the maximum efficiency. The formula for the efficiency of heat engine is given by :

$\eta=1-\dfrac{T_c}{T_H}$

Put all the values,

$\eta=1-\dfrac{200}{500}\\\\\eta=0.6$

or

$\eta=60\%$

So, the maximum efficiency of the heat engine is 60%.