Thermodynamics & Heat
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Carnot Efficiency

Maximum efficiency of a heat engine.

Formula

η=1−TCTH\eta = 1 - \frac{T_C}{T_H}

Variables

T_CCold reservoir (K)
T_HHot reservoir (K)

Example

T_C=300,T_H=600 ⇒ 50%

Did You Know?

Carnot proved no heat engine can beat his efficiency limit, a ceiling set purely by the two temperatures involved.

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