The heat rate is essentially the reciprocal of the thermal efficiency. a) - True b) - False

a). TRUE

Explanation:

Thermal efficiency of a system is the defined as the ratio of the net work done to the total heat input to the system. It is a dimensionless quantity.

Mathematically, thermal efficiency is

η = net work done / heat input

While heat rate is the reciprocal of efficiency. It is defined as the ratio of heat supplied to the system to the useful work done.

Mathematically, heat rate is

Heat rate = heat input / net work done

Thus from above we can see that heat rate is the reciprocal of thermal efficiency.

Thus, Heat rate is reciprocal of thermal efficiency.