Each second, a nuclear power plant generates 2000 MJ of thermal energy from nuclear reactions in the reactor’s core. This energy is used to boil water and produce high-pressure steam at 300°C. The steam spins a turbine, which produces 700 MJ of electric power, then the steam is condensed and the water is cooled to 30°C before starting the cycle again.
a. What is the maximum possible efficiency of the plant?
b. What is the plant’s actual efficiency?
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