Question

The first and second laws of thermodynamics are sometimes stated as "You can't win" and "You can't even break even." Do these sayings accurately characterize the laws of thermodynamics as applied to heat engines? Why or why not?

Short answer

Yes, the efficiency of heat engine is subject to laws of thermodynamics. The first law asserts that energy is conserved and that output can never exceed input. The second law adds to this constraint by stating that output can never equalize input. As a result, the sentences are employed correctly in this context.

Step-by-step solution

Step: 1 Definition of  first law of thermodynamics:

The first law of thermodynamics, sometimes known as the law of energy conservation. The output of a heat engine can never exceed the input. It amounts to saying that " you can not win " . It symbolizes that output energy can never exceed input energy.

Step: 2 Definition of second law of thermodynamics:

The second law of thermodynamics explains how output energy can never become equal to input energy . Some energy is destined to be wasted in the process. In break -even case in commercial transaction , total cost and benefit become equal . Beyond this point , profit starts pouring in . Similarly in heat engine , even break even point is not achieved . That means output energy can not even become equal to input energy . This amounts to saying that even break-even point is not achieved.

Step: 3 Law simplification :

First law simply states that energy is conserved and output can never be greater than the input. Second law adds to this constraint that output can never be even equal to input. Hence in this sense, the phrases are correctly used.