1. What is the Thermal Efficiency of Otto Cycle?

The Thermal Efficiency of Otto Cycle represents the effectiveness of petrol engine. It is measured by comparing how much work is done through out the system to the heat supplied to the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Otto Cycle efficiency formula:

Where:

• \( \varepsilon_o \) — Thermal Efficiency of Otto Cycle
• \( r \) — Compression Ratio
• \( \gamma \) — Heat Capacity Ratio (adiabatic index)

Explanation: The equation calculates the theoretical maximum efficiency of an ideal Otto cycle engine based on compression ratio and heat capacity ratio.

3. Importance of Thermal Efficiency Calculation

Details: Calculating thermal efficiency is crucial for evaluating engine performance, optimizing fuel consumption, and designing more efficient internal combustion engines.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter compression ratio (r > 1) and heat capacity ratio (γ > 1). Typical values for air: γ = 1.4, compression ratios range from 8:1 to 12:1 for gasoline engines.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical compression ratio for gasoline engines?
A: Most modern gasoline engines have compression ratios between 8:1 and 12:1, with higher ratios generally providing better efficiency.

Q2: What is the heat capacity ratio for air?
A: For air at standard conditions, the heat capacity ratio (γ) is approximately 1.4.

Q3: Why does efficiency increase with compression ratio?
A: Higher compression ratios allow for greater expansion of the working fluid, extracting more work from the same amount of heat input.

Q4: What are the limitations of this formula?
A: This formula represents ideal Otto cycle efficiency and doesn't account for real-world factors like friction, heat loss, incomplete combustion, or pumping losses.

Q5: How does this compare to actual engine efficiency?
A: Actual engine efficiency is typically 25-30% lower than the theoretical maximum due to various losses and inefficiencies in real engines.