Question:

Two ideal Carnot engines operate in cascade (all heat given up by one engine is used by the other engine to produce work) between temperature, T1 and T2 . The temperature of the hot reservoir of the first engine is T1 and the temperature of the cold reservoir of the second engine is T2 . T is temperature of the sink of first engine which is also the source for the second which is also the source for the second engine. How is T related to T1 and T2 . If both engines perform equal amount of work?

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Both engines are Carnot, so \(\dfrac{Q}{T}\) is the same at each stage (\(Q_1/T_1=Q/T=Q_2/T_2\)). Equal work means \(Q_1-Q=Q-Q_2\).
Updated On: Oct 31, 2026
  • \( T = {{2{T_1}{T_2}} \over {{T_1} + {T_2}}} \)
  • \( T = \sqrt {{T_1}{T_2}} \)
  • \( T = {{{T_1} + {T_2}} \over 2} \)
  • T = 0
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Engine 1 takes \(Q_1\) at \(T_1\), rejects \(Q\) at T; engine 2 takes \(Q\) at T and rejects \(Q_2\) at \(T_2\).
Step 2: Equal work: \(Q_1-Q=Q-Q_2\Rightarrow Q=\dfrac{Q_1+Q_2}{2}\).
Step 3: For Carnot engines \(Q\propto T\) at each reservoir: \(\dfrac{Q_1}{T_1}=\dfrac Q T=\dfrac{Q_2}{T_2}\), so \(Q_1,Q_2\) are proportional to \(T_1,T_2\) with the same constant that gives \(Q\propto T\).
Step 4: Hence \(T=\dfrac{T_1+T_2}{2}\).
Answer: (C) \(T=\dfrac{T_1+T_2}{2}\)
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