Efficiency of heat engine wrt sink temperature - Thermodynamics

Q.  Assume that a reversible heat engine is operating between a source at T1 and a sink at T2. If T2 decreases, the efficiency of the heat engine  ______
- Published on 21 Aug 15

a. decreases
b. increases
c. remains constant
d. none of the above

ANSWER: increases
 
The efficiency of a reversible heat engine is operating between a source at T1 and a sink at T2 is given by,

η = Work done / Heat supplied

ηrev = ηmax = ( T1 – T2 ) / T1

ηrev = 1 – (T2/T1)

From the above equation, as T2 decreases the efficiency increases and tends towards 100%

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