Answer :
Final answer:
The maximum efficiency of a steam locomotive with a hot steam temperature of 425°C and a cold reservoir temperature of 150°C, calculated using the Carnot efficiency equation, is 39.4%.
Explanation:
The maximum efficiency of any heat engine, including a steam locomotive, is given by the Carnot efficiency, which is defined by the equation: η = 1 - Tc/Th, where Tc is the absolute temperature of the cold reservoir and Th is the absolute temperature of the hot reservoir. Remembering that temperatures must be in Kelvin in this equation, convert 425ºC to Kelvin (425 + 273 = 698 K) and 150ºC to Kelvin (150 + 273 = 423 K). So, η = 1 - 423/698 = 0.394 or39.4%. Therefore, the maximum theoretical efficiency of the steam engine, assuming the cold reservoir is at 150ºC, is 39.4%.
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