How do you calculate the power of a heat engine?

To calculate the power of a heat engine, you need to know the amount of heat energy transferred and the time taken.

The power of a heat engine is the rate at which it converts heat energy into mechanical work. It is calculated by dividing the amount of work done by the time taken. The amount of work done is equal to the difference between the heat energy absorbed and the heat energy rejected by the engine. This is known as the engine's efficiency.

The efficiency of a heat engine is given by the ratio of the work output to the heat input. It is always less than 1, as some of the heat energy is always lost to the surroundings. The efficiency of a heat engine can be improved by increasing the temperature of the heat source or decreasing the temperature of the heat sink.

The power output of a heat engine can also be calculated using the formula P = Q/t, where P is the power, Q is the heat energy transferred, and t is the time taken. This formula is useful when the efficiency of the engine is not known.

In summary, the power of a heat engine is calculated by dividing the work done by the time taken. The efficiency of the engine can be used to calculate the work done, and the power output can also be calculated using the formula P = Q/t. Improving the efficiency of the engine can increase its power output.