Mechanical Engineering Exam  >  Mechanical Engineering Questions  >  The more effective way of increasing the effi... Start Learning for Free
The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is to
  • a)
    increase higher temperature
  • b)
    decrease higher temperature
  • c)
    increase lower temperature
  • d)
    decrease lower temperature
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine...
(decreasing lower temperature by ΔT)
(increasing higher temperature by ΔT)
So, the more effective way to increase the cycle efficiency is to decrease lower temperature.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine...
Increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine by decreasing the lower temperature

To understand why decreasing the lower temperature of a Carnot engine is the more effective way to increase its efficiency, we need to have a basic understanding of how a Carnot engine works.

What is a Carnot engine?
A Carnot engine is an idealized engine that operates on the reversible Carnot cycle. It consists of two isothermal processes and two adiabatic processes. The engine operates between two heat reservoirs, a higher temperature reservoir (TH) and a lower temperature reservoir (TL).

The Carnot efficiency
The efficiency of a Carnot engine is given by the Carnot efficiency formula:

Efficiency = 1 - (TL / TH)

Where TL is the lower temperature and TH is the higher temperature.

Effect of decreasing the lower temperature on efficiency
When we decrease the lower temperature (TL) while keeping the higher temperature (TH) constant, the efficiency of the Carnot engine increases. This is because the Carnot efficiency formula shows that the efficiency is inversely proportional to the ratio of TL to TH.

Explanation
1. The Carnot efficiency formula reveals that as TL decreases, the ratio TL/TH decreases, resulting in an increase in efficiency.
2. This can be understood by considering the heat transfer during the isothermal expansion and isothermal compression processes of the Carnot cycle.
3. During the isothermal expansion process, heat is transferred from the higher temperature reservoir to the working fluid, and during the isothermal compression process, heat is transferred from the working fluid to the lower temperature reservoir.
4. By decreasing TL, the temperature difference between the working fluid and the lower temperature reservoir decreases, resulting in less heat being transferred during the isothermal compression process.
5. As less heat is transferred during the isothermal compression process, less heat is wasted, and therefore, the efficiency of the engine increases.

Conclusion
Decreasing the lower temperature (TL) of a Carnot engine is the more effective way to increase its efficiency. This is because it reduces the temperature difference between the working fluid and the lower temperature reservoir, resulting in less wasted heat during the isothermal compression process.
Free Test
Community Answer
The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine...
B
Attention Mechanical Engineering Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Mechanical Engineering study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Mechanical Engineering.
Explore Courses for Mechanical Engineering exam

Top Courses for Mechanical Engineering

The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for Mechanical Engineering 2024 is part of Mechanical Engineering preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Mechanical Engineering exam syllabus. Information about The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Mechanical Engineering 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Mechanical Engineering. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Mechanical Engineering Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice The more effective way of increasing the efficiency of a Carnot engine is toa)increase higher temperatureb)decrease higher temperaturec)increase lower temperatured)decrease lower temperatureCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Mechanical Engineering tests.
Explore Courses for Mechanical Engineering exam

Top Courses for Mechanical Engineering

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev