MathLiveCarnot efficiency
This gives the largest possible efficiency of a heat engine operating between a hot reservoir and a cold reservoir, using absolute temperatures. It is used to find the theoretical upper limit that any real heat engine cycle between those two temperatures cannot exceed.
\eta_{\max} = 1 - \frac{T_{\mathrm{C}}}{T_{\mathrm{H}}}What the symbols mean
| maximum (Carnot) efficiency of the heat engine, dimensionless | |
| absolute temperature of the cold reservoir, in kelvin | |
| absolute temperature of the hot reservoir, in kelvin |
About this formula
- FieldPhysics
- TopicThermodynamics
- LevelHigh school
- Also calledCarnot efficiency formula, maximum efficiency of a heat engine, Carnot heat engine efficiency, thermodynamic efficiency limit, maximum efficiency heat engine, Carnot cycle efficiency
- SourceWikidata Q31924
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