Question

It is claimed that the efficiency of a completely reversible heat engine can be doubled by doubling the temperature of the energy source (hot reservoir). Justify the validity of this claim.

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

The claim that the efficiency of a completely reversible heat engine can be doubled by doubling the temperature of the energy source is false. According to the second law of thermodynamics, all reversible engines operating between the same two reservoirs have the same efficiency.

Step-by-step explanation:

The claim that the efficiency of a completely reversible heat engine can be doubled by doubling the temperature of the energy source (hot reservoir) is false. According to the second law of thermodynamics, all reversible engines operating between the same two reservoirs have the same efficiency.

Reversible engines follow Carnot's principle, which states that no engine working between two reservoirs at constant temperatures can have a greater efficiency than a reversible engine.

Therefore, doubling the temperature of the energy source will not double the efficiency of a completely reversible heat engine.