All Problems

Second law of thermodynamics, entropy

Problem 2.116

An ideal gas goes through a cycle consisting of alternate isothermal and adiabatic curves (Fig. 2.2). The isothermal processes proceed at the temperatures \(T_{1}, T_{2},\) and \(T_{3} .\) Find the efficiency of such a cycle, if in each isothermal expansion the gas volume increases in the same proportion.

Reveal Answer
η=12T3/(T1+T2)\eta=1-2 T_{\mathrm{3}} /\left(T_{1}+T_{2}\right)