In: Physics
(a) What is the maximum temperature of the gas?
(b) What would be the efficiency of an ideal engine with reservoirs at the maximum and minimum temperatures of this engine? Compare this to the actual efficiency, 0.444.
(a)
Calculate the temperature at point C using gas laws.
VA/TA = VC/TC
TC = VC × TA/VA
Here, VA is the volume of gas at point A, VC is the volume of gas at point C, TA is the temperature of gas at point A, and TC is the temperature of gas at point C.
Substitute 0.5 m3 for VA, 2 m3 for VC, and 470 K for TA.
TC = 2 m3 × 470 K/0.5 m3
= 1880 K
Calculate the temperature at point B using gas laws.
PB/TB = PA/TA
TB = PB × TA/PA
Here, PA is the pressure of gas at point A, PB is the pressure of gas at point B, and TB is the temperature of gas at point B.
Substitute 1 atm. for PA, 5 atn, for PB, and 470 K for TA.
TB = 5 atm. × 470 K/1 atm.
= 2350 K
Hence, the maximum temperature of gas is 2350 K.
(b)
Calculate the ideal efficiency of the engine.
η = 1 – Tmin./Tmax.
Here, Tmin is the minimum temperature, and Tmax is the maximum temperature.
Substitute 470 K for Tmin, and 2350 K for Tmax.
η = 1 – 470 K/2350 K
= 1 – 0.2
= 0.8
= 80%
Hence, the ideal efficiency of the engine is 80%.
(a) Hence, the maximum temperature of gas is 2350 K.
(b) Hence, the ideal efficiency of the engine is 80%.