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← ScienceWhich efficiency-limiting outcome arises as heat engine cycle's cold reservoir temperature approaches ambient temperature?
A)Irreversible heat transfer increases✓
B)Working fluid viscosity decreases
C)Mechanical friction approaches zero
D)Radiative heat losses are magnified
💡 Explanation
As cold reservoir temperature nears ambient, increased entropy generation occurs because the smaller final temperature difference results in a larger proportional temperature change when irreversible heat transfer occur, reducing efficiency. Therefore irreversible heat transfer increases, rather than fluid viscosity effects, friction reduction, or radiative loss amplification, because these result from other mechanisms.
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