Carnot Engine: A coal-fired plant generates 600 MW of electric power. The plant uses 4.8 × 106 kg of coal each day, and the heat of combustion of coal is 3.3 × 107 J/kg. The steam that drives the turbines is at a temperature of 300°C, and the exhaust water is at 37°C.(a) What is the overall efficiency of the plant for generating electric power?(b) How much thermal energy is exhausted each day?(c) Using the same heat reservoirs, what is the maximum possible efficiency for a heat engine?

What will be an ideal response?


(a) 33% (b) 1.1 × 1014 J (c) 46%

Physics & Space Science

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Two different nuclei emit alpha particles, the energy released in each of these decays being the same. Which of the following has the lowest resulting kinetic energy?

a. The alpha particle from the lighter nucleus. b. The alpha particle from the heavier nucleus. c. The heavier daughter nucleus. d. The lighter daughter nucleus.

Physics & Space Science

Of the temperature ranges below, which range represents the smallest range of actual temperature?

A) 50-100° Kelvin B) 50-100° Celsius C) 50-100° Fahrenheit D) They all represent the same change in temperature.

Physics & Space Science

The power rating of a 400-? resistor is 0.800 W. (a) What is the maximum voltage that can be applied across this resistor without damaging it? (b) What is the maximum current this resistor can draw without damaging it?

What will be an ideal response?

Physics & Space Science

If a microscopic particle's uncertainty in velocity is reduced,

A) its uncertainty in position must decrease enough to satisfy the uncertainty principle. B) its uncertainty in position must remain unchanged. C) its uncertainty in position must increase enough to satisfy the uncertainty principle.

Physics & Space Science