alleryStart learning →What does a heat engine do?
AIt converts heat into mechanical work
BIt converts work into stored heat only
CIt converts electrical energy into heat
DIt stores heat without producing any work
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. It converts heat into mechanical work
1. A heat engine uses thermodynamic processes to transform heat into work.
2. Gasoline engines, diesel engines, and steam turbines are all given as examples of heat engines.
3. Converting work into stored heat, or electrical energy into heat, describes a different kind of device.
4. Storing heat without producing work is the opposite of what a heat engine is built to do.
5. So converting heat into mechanical work is correct.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 12 "Thermodynamics", section 12.4 Applications of Thermodynamics: Heat Engines, Heat Pumps, and Refrigerators_
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