Coefficient of performance
Definition
The coefficient of performance (COP) is a measure of the efficiency of a refrigeration system or heat pump. It is defined as the ratio of useful heating or cooling provided to the work required to achieve it.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- COP is calculated using the formula $COP = \frac{Q}{W}$, where $Q$ is the heat transferred and $W$ is the work input.
- For refrigerators, COP typically measures how effectively they remove heat from a low-temperature space.
- For heat pumps, COP measures how effectively they transfer heat into a high-temperature space.
- A higher COP indicates a more efficient system, meaning less work is needed for the same amount of heating or cooling.
- COP values are generally greater than 1 because these systems move more energy than they consume.
Review Questions
- How do you calculate the coefficient of performance (COP) for a refrigeration system?
- Why does a higher COP indicate a more efficient refrigeration system or heat pump?
- What does it mean if the COP value is greater than 1?
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Related terms
Second Law of Thermodynamics: States that entropy in an isolated system always increases over time and processes occur in a certain direction.
Refrigerator: A device used to transfer heat from a low-temperature region to a high-temperature region by doing work.
Heat Pump: A device that transfers heat from one place to another, typically from outside to inside during winter and vice versa during summer.
