Suppose a power plant uses a Carnot engine to generate electricity,using the atmosphere at 300 K as the low-temperature reservoir.Suppose the power plant produces 1 × 10⁶ J of electricity with the hot reservoir at 500 K during Day One and then produces 1 × 10⁶ J of electricity with the hot reservoir at 600 K during Day Two.The thermal pollution was A)greatest on Day One. B)greatest on Day Two. C)the same on both days. D)zero on both days.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The thermal pollution, or waste heat, is greater on Day One because the efficiency of a Carnot engine is higher when the temperature difference between the hot and cold reservoirs is smaller. On Day One, with a lower hot reservoir temperature (500 K vs. 600 K on Day Two), the efficiency is lower, leading to more waste heat for the same amount of electricity produced.

Suppose a Power Plant Uses a Carnot Engine to Generate