Answer to Question #91929 in Physical Chemistry for Amey Wankhede

Question

What is more effective to improve efficiency of carnot engine to increase source
temperature keeping sink temperature constant or to decrease sink temperature keeping
source temperature constant.

Answer 1

Solution.

Write down the efficiency equation for the Carnot engine:

$$\eta = \frac{A}{Q}$$

In order to increase the efficiency of the Carnot engine, it is necessary to reduce the sink temperature. The operation of the heat engine is performed until the temperature of the sink and the source is not the same. This is a state of equilibrium. And the production of work on this stops, and the work that we produce or receive, will be maximum. Thus, in order to increase the efficiency of the engine according to the forum recorded above, if we reduce the sink temperature, we increase the maximum performance (A).

Answer:

Decreasing the temperature of the sink keeping source temperature constant increases the efficiency of the Carnot engine.