Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We need to find the ratio of the source temperatures $T_1$ and $T_2$ for a Carnot engine when its efficiency increases from $0.25$ to $0.4$, assuming the sink temperature remains constant.
Step 2: Key Formula and Approach:
The efficiency $\eta$ of a Carnot engine is given by:
\[ \eta = 1 - \frac{T_L}{T_H} \]
where $T_L$ is the absolute temperature of the sink and $T_H$ is the absolute temperature of the source.
We will write the efficiency equations for both cases and solve for the source temperatures in terms of the constant sink temperature $T_L$.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
• Case 1: Source temperature is $T_1$, efficiency $\eta_1 = 0.25$:
\[ \eta_1 = 1 - \frac{T_L}{T_1} \]
\[ 0.25 = 1 - \frac{T_L}{T_1} \]
\[ \frac{T_L}{T_1} = 1 - 0.25 = 0.75 = \frac{3}{4} \]
Rearranging to express $T_1$:
\[ T_1 = \frac{4}{3} T_L \quad \text{--- (Equation 1)} \]
• Case 2: Source temperature is $T_2$, efficiency $\eta_2 = 0.4$:
\[ \eta_2 = 1 - \frac{T_L}{T_2} \]
\[ 0.4 = 1 - \frac{T_L}{T_2} \]
\[ \frac{T_L}{T_2} = 1 - 0.4 = 0.6 = \frac{3}{5} \]
Rearranging to express $T_2$:
\[ T_2 = \frac{5}{3} T_L \quad \text{--- (Equation 2)} \]
• Calculate the ratio of $T_1$ to $T_2$:
Divide Equation 1 by Equation 2:
\[ \frac{T_1}{T_2} = \frac{\frac{4}{3} T_L}{\frac{5}{3} T_L} = \frac{4}{5} \]
\[ T_1 : T_2 = 4 : 5 \]
Step 4: Final Answer:
The ratio of $T_1$ and $T_2$ is $4:5$, which corresponds to Option (B).