Could you cool the kitchen by leaving the refrigerator open? Explain.
Read more
Table of Contents
Textbook Solutions for Essential University Physics
Question
The electric power output of all the thermal electric power plants in the United States is about 2*1011 W, and these plants operate at an average efficiency of around 33%. Find the rate at which all these plants use cooling water, assuming an average 5C rise in cooling-water temperature. Compare with the 1.8*107 kg/s average flow at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Solution
The first step in solving 19 problem number 31 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: The electric power output of all the thermal electric power plants in the United States is about 2*1011 W, and these plants operate at an average efficiency of around 33%. Find the rate at which all these plants use cooling water, assuming an average 5C rise in cooling-water temperature. Compare with the 1.8*107 kg/s average flow at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
From the textbook chapter The Second Law of Thermodynamics you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
Visible to paid subscribers only
Step 3 of 7)Visible to paid subscribers only
full solution