SCIENCE 9

QUARTER 4 MODULE 6 WEEK 6

Let’s Understand (Study the Concepts)

As discussed in the previous module, heat can do work when there is a
difference in temperature which allows energy (in the form of heat) to transfer. The study of heat
and its transformation into mechanical energy is referred to as thermodynamics.

Heat Engine
A heat engine is any device that converts heat into mechanical work. There are
requirements for a heat engine to perform: heat source (high
temperature reservoir), heat sink (low temperature reservoir), and
the engine must perform work. Heat is taken in by the engine from
the high temperature reservoir (Th). The heat absorbed is used to
perform work (W). However, not all absorbed heat can be converted
to work by an engine, there will always be waste heat that goes to
the cold temperature reservoir (Tc). Heat engines are an example
that transferring of heat can be used to do work.
Diagram of a heat engine. The energy, converted as useful mechanical work, is equal to
the difference in the heat input and the heat output:
W = QH – QC
Sample problem 1: A certain engine turns 800 J of input energy into 560 J of useful
work and the rest of the energy is released to the surroundings. How much energy is released to
the environment?
QH = 800 J, W = 560 J. Find QC
QC = QH – W
= 800 J – 560 J
QC = 240 J

Refrigerators and Heat Pumps

In a natural process, heat must flow from a high
temperature region to a low temperature region. To make this
flow in the reverse direction, external work must be done. A
heat pump (refrigerator) is a device that transfers heat energy
from a low temperature reservoir to a high temperature
reservoir. The result is that work is done on the system;
heat is extracted from a low temperature source and rejected to
a high temperature source.

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Thermal Efficiency
In using heat engines, the amount of work can be increased if less heat will be released
to the low temperature body. If no heat is released to the low-temperature body, then all heat
absorbed will be converted to work. Unfortunately, this is impossible because some waste heat is
always produced in a heat engine. Therefore, work can never be equal to the heat absorbed by
the system, and so it is impossible to build a 100% efficient engine.
How well a machine operates is the ratio of the useful work done to the heat provided is
the thermal efficiency. In equation:
𝑤
Efficiency =
𝑄𝐻
× 2:
Sample Problem 100If an engine turns 950 J of input energy into 400 J of useful work, what is its
thermal efficiency?
W = 400 J, QH = 950 J
400𝐽
Efficiency = 950𝐽
= 42.1%
× 100
Carnot Efficiency
The Carnot engine, named after Sadi Carnot, is the ideal heat
engine with the highest possible efficiency. Carnot analyzed the cycle of
a heat engine and he discovered that under ideal condition, the highest
possible efficiency can be calculated.
𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝑐
Ideal Efficiency (Carnot Efficiency) =
𝑇𝐻
TH = Temp of the high temperature body
× 100
TC = Temp of the cold temperature body
*Temperatures MUST be expressed in Kelvin.
Sadi Carnot

Sample Problem 3: A hot gas is injected into an engine at 300oC and

exhausts at 70oC. What is the highest efficiency possible of this engine?
TH = 300oC + 273 = 573 K; TC = 70oC + 273 = 343 K
𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝑐
Ideal Efficiency (Carnot Efficiency) =
𝑇𝐻
× 100
573𝐾 − 343𝐾
=
573𝐾
× 100 = 40.1%
Diagram of a heat pump.

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 Let’s Analyze
You and Thermodynamics (10 pts)

One can compare one’s body with that of a

heat engine. Since like a heat engine, the human
body also undergoes a cyclic process every day. To
recall, a heat engine needs a source of energy (heat
or Q) and it performs useful work (W). Suppose you
are comparing John’s body with a heat engine. In
your understanding, where does John’s body get its
heat (Q) and what are the ways can it perform work
(W)? Explain in 3-5 sentences.

Let’s Try (Evaluation)

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. What is the function of a heat engine?
A. It converts chemical energy to mechanical energy.
B. It converts thermal energy to mechanical energy.
C. It converts mechanical energy to chemical energy.
D. It converts thermal energy into chemical energy.

2. Why are machines never 100% efficient?

A. Because it can only convert 90% of thermal energy all the time.
B. Because there will always be some waste heat energy that is produced.
C. Because it can convert all available thermal energy into mechanical energy.
D. There is no proof that machines cannot convert all available thermal energy into mechanical
energy.

3. Which of the following scenarios converts heat into work the least?
A. Riding a bicycle C. Burning gases.
B. Using a steam engine. D. An atomic reactor

4. Which of the following sentences about heat engines is not correct?

A. It converts heat to mechanical work.
B. It has a heat source and a heat sink.
C. A heat engine performs useful work.
D. It converts the entire thermal energy into mechanical energy.

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5. If the human body is comparable to a heat engine, then what form does the human body’s
waste heat takes?
A. Food C. Perspiration
B. Walking D. Lifting weight

II. PROBLEM SOLVING (5 pts each)

1. An engine can turn 750 J of input energy into 125 J of useful work. Calculate the
remaining energy this engine cannot convert into useful work.
2. Suppose a steam engine receives steam at 600K. The engine uses part of this thermal
energy for work. It exhausts the rest to a condenser at a temperature of 350K.
What is the maximum efficiency of this steam engine?

Let’s Create

DIRECTION: Make a poem with at least two (2) stanzas having concepts about
Heat engines and Thermal efficiency. Please be guided on the criteria below.

CRITERIA 4 3 2 1
Presents Presents title Presents title There is no
creative title with relative with little creative title
TITLE related to the creativity creativity
poem related to the related to the
poem poem
Evidence of Evidence of Evidence of Little to no
strong grade- adequate grade- limited grade- evidence of
CONVENTIONS level grammar, level grammar, level grammar, grade-level
capitalization, capitalization, capitalization, grammar,
and spelling and spelling and spelling capitalization,
and spelling
ORIGINALITY Most original Moderately Least original No originality
and creative original and and creative
work creative
Clearly Communicates Communicates No taught
MESSAGE communicates the taught the taught concepts were
CLARITY the taught concepts but concepts but communicated
concepts few details many details
hinder hinder
understanding understanding