Problem 4: Find the efficiency of a Carnot heat engine working between the steam and ice points.
Solution
We know that the steam point = 1000 C = 100 + 273 = 373 K and the ice point is 00C = 0 + 273 = 273 K. Also, we know that the efficiency, η of the Carnot engine is defined as
Here T2 is the Kelvin temperature of hot reservoir and T1 is the Kelvin temperature of the sink. Hence, regarding the steam point as the hot reservoir and ice point as the sink between which the Carnot engine operates, we have
Percent efficiency = 