A Carnot heat engine operates between 1000 deg F and 50 deg F, producing 120 BTU of work. What is the heat input to the engine?

184.6 BTU

Explanation:

The thermal efficiency for a Carnot cycle follows this equation:

η = 1 - T2/T1

Where

η: thermal efficiency

T1: temperature of the heat source

T2: temperature of the heat sink

These temperatures must be in absolute scale:

1000 F = 1460 R

50 F = 510 R

Then

η = 1 - 510/1460 = 0.65

We also know that for any heat engine:

η = L / Q1

Where

L: useful work

Q1: heat taken from the source

Rearranging:

Q1 = L / η

Q1 = 120 / 0.65 = 184.6 BTU