4.9.7

Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators

Test yourself

Second Law and Engines

It is impossible for engines to work only using the first law of thermodynamics. The second law must also be obeyed.

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Source and sink

  • In order to obey the second law of thermodynamics, all engines need a source and a sink of heat.
  • Because the sink cannot be at absolute zero, no engine can be 100% efficient.
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Efficiency

  • Efficiency =WQH=QHQCQH= \frac{W}{Q_H} = \frac{Q_H - Q_C}{Q_H}
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Maximising efficiency

  • Maximum efficiency =THTCTH= \frac{T_H - T_C}{T_H}
  • To maximise efficiency, (TH - TC) must be large, but TC is usually limited by the temperature of the environment.
    • TH is limited by the material characteristics of the engine.
  • In modern systems, the use of QH and W is maximised, whilst practical uses for QC are sought.

Reversed heat engines

Any engine that runs from cold to hot is a reversed heat engine.

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Fridges

  • A reverse heat engine does work to move heat energy from a hot body to a cold body.
  • It is the same as a normal heat engine but the heat energy transferred does not do work, it needs work.
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Coefficient of performance

  • The coefficient of performance of a refrigerator is like its efficiency.
    • COP=QcWCOP= \frac{{Q_c}}{W}
  • Where QcQ_c is the heat from the cold reservoir.
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Heat pumps

  • Heat pumps are another type of reversed heat engine.
  • A reverse heat engine does work to move heat energy from a cold body to a hot body.
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Coefficient of performance

  • The coefficient of performance of a heat pump is like its efficiency.
    • COP=QhWCOP= \frac{{Q_h}}{W}
  • Where QhQ_h is the heat from the warm reservoir.

Jump to other topics

1Principles of Science I

1.1Structure & Bonding

1.2Properties of Substances

1.3Cell Structure & Function

1.4Cell Specialisation

1.5Tissue Structure & Function

1.6Working with Waves

1.7Waves in Communication

2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

3Science Investigation Skills

4Principles of Science II

4.1Extracting Elements

4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.3Organic Chemistry

4.4Energy Changes in Industry

4.5The Circulatory System

4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.7Urinary System

4.8Cell Transport

4.9Thermal Physics

4.10Materials

4.11Fluids

5Contemporary Issues in Science

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