KillGorack / Physics 2010 / Suppose a power plant uses a Carnot engine to generate electricity, using the atmosphere at 300 K as the low-temperature reservoir. Suppose the power plant produces 1*10^6 J of electricity with the hot reservoir at 500 K during Day One and then produces 1*10^6 J of electricity with the hot reservoir at 600 K during Day Two. The thermal pollution was: 1) greatest on Day One. 2) greatest on Day Two. 3) the same on both days. 4) zero on both days. 5) No conclusion can be made with the information given.

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Question Suppose a power plant uses a Carnot engine to generate electricity, using the atmosphere at 300 K as the low-temperature reservoir. Suppose the power plant produces 110^6 J of electricity with the hot reservoir at 500 K during Day One and then produces 110^6 J of electricity with the hot reservoir at 600 K during Day Two. The thermal pollution was: 1) greatest on Day One. 2) greatest on Day Two. 3) the same on both days. 4) zero on both days. 5) No conclusion can be made with the information given.
Answer greatest on Day One.

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