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ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-b-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2016/paper-1/section-a/a4/solution
Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge 2016 Paper 1 Section A A4 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
To obtain the maximum work from two finite heat reservoirs, operate a reversible heat engine between the bodies until their temperatures coincide. Include the work store in the isolated total system: no heat enters from outside, while the bodies can transfer energy to that store. With the stated constant heat capacities, reversibility requiresNumerically, . The decrease of the bodies' internal energy isDirect thermal equilibration without an engine would instead reach the arithmetic heat-capacity-weighted temperature and deliver no work. entropy production can only raise the final common temperature above the value for zero entropy production and reduce extractable work.
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