Question
What is an ideal reversible engine?
Solution
Heat engine continuously converts heat energy into mechanical energy.
The working substance of engine is carried through a cycle of process in which it takes heat from source. Some part of this heat is converted into work. The rest of the heat is rejected to sink and finally the working substance returns to its initial state. After a complete cycle, the condition of hot source, sink and surrounding changes.
Now, on reversing the cyclic process, all the components of engine resume exactly their initial conditions and no change is left in the surrounding, then engine is called reversible heat engine.
The working substance of engine is carried through a cycle of process in which it takes heat from source. Some part of this heat is converted into work. The rest of the heat is rejected to sink and finally the working substance returns to its initial state. After a complete cycle, the condition of hot source, sink and surrounding changes.
Now, on reversing the cyclic process, all the components of engine resume exactly their initial conditions and no change is left in the surrounding, then engine is called reversible heat engine.
