Exam Preparation Notes

Test Grades and Homework

• Third to last test grade is present.
• One more homework will contribute to final grades.
• Recommended to prioritize test reviews over homework for preparation.

Final Exam Information

• Final is next Wednesday, Thursday, with loading on Friday.
• No make-up exams for absences.
• Can use any test from this or the previous semester for final grade, except the very first and last ones.
• 20 calculation-based questions will be present, drawn directly from previous tests.

Ideal Heat Engines - Carnot Cycles

• Definition: An ideal heat engine maximizes efficiency, operating below 100%.
• Efficiency Calculation: Use ext{Efficiency} = 1 - \frac{|Qc|}{Qh}, remembering to use absolute values for heat calculations.
• Important Note: Distinguish between input heat (Qh) as positive and output heat (Qc) as negative.

Functioning of Carnot Engines

• Consists of a hot reservoir and a cold reservoir, operating through a cycle of:
• Isothermal Expansion
• Adiabatic Expansion
• Isothermal Compression
• Adiabatic Compression
• Key temperatures:
• T_h (Hot Reservoir)
• T_c (Cold Reservoir)

Improving Efficiency

• Decrease cold reservoir temperature (T_c) to improve efficiency.
• Increase hot reservoir temperature (T_h) without altering cold reservoir.

Application and Practice

• Addressing calculation questions such as finding heat inputs/outputs.
• Review previous homework as questions can be similar.
• Power formula discussion: P = \frac{W}{t} where 'P' is power, 'W' is work, and 't' is time.

Homework and Review

• Homework due next Monday despite the four-day weekend.
• No review sessions available on Tuesday before the final.