Which of these types of motors or engines are heat engines?
a. an automobile engine
b. an electric motor
c. a steam turbine
a and c
To identify which types of motors or engines are heat engines, we need to understand what a heat engine is. A heat engine is a device that converts heat energy into mechanical work.
a. an automobile engine: Yes, an automobile engine is a heat engine. It uses the combustion of fuel (such as gasoline or diesel) to produce heat, which is then converted into mechanical work to power the vehicle.
b. an electric motor: No, an electric motor is not a heat engine. It uses electrical energy to produce mechanical energy without involving the conversion of heat.
c. a steam turbine: Yes, a steam turbine is a heat engine. It uses the heat generated from the combustion of a fuel, usually coal, natural gas, or nuclear, to produce steam. The steam then passes through the turbine, where its thermal energy is converted into mechanical work to generate electricity.
In summary, both the automobile engine and the steam turbine are heat engines, while the electric motor primarily relies on electricity rather than heat for operation.