Question
a. An engine has a reservoir of 8000 J and has a sink of 1000 J.i. Find the work generated by the engine.
Answers
drwls
It makes sense to speak of sink and (heat) reservoir temperatures, but not energy levels. Whoever conjured up this question should not be teaching science.
drwls
A steady-state heat engine that absorbs 8000 J from a high-temperature reservoir and rejects 1000 J to a cold heat sink would produce 7000 J of work. There would be no other place for the energy to go.
The heat engine efficiency would be 87.5%. I know of no heat engines that are that efficient.
The heat engine efficiency would be 87.5%. I know of no heat engines that are that efficient.