Question

A Carnot engine absorbs 1, 3 MJ of heat at 427 degree C and exhausts heat to a reservoir at 90 degree C. How much work does it do?

Answer 1

Carnot cycle efficiency = work done/heat supplied = (Th - Tc)/Th where, Th is temperature of hot reservoir and Tc is temperature of cold reservoir. we have given the values as Heat supplied = 1.3 MJ or 1300 KJ, Th = 427 degree C and Tc = 90 degree C. converting degree Celsius to kelvin temperatures, Th = 427 + 273 = 700 K Tc = 90 +273 = 363 solving equations, (700 - 363)/700 = work done / 1300 work done = 625.86 KJ i.e. 0.626 MJ work is done .