Mechanical equivalent of heat => transfer from work W to heat Q

Question

Consider the following experiment to determine the mechanical equivalent of heat $\mu = \frac{\Delta W}{\Delta Q}$

Not seen in the picture is a weight with a known mass hanging down the cord. When you start cranking, you compensate the weight force $F_G$ with the friction $F_F$. Its value is the difference of $F_G$ and the force held by the dynamometer.

One can calculate the work put into the system via $\Delta W = F_F \cdot\Delta s = (F_G - F_D) \cdot 2\pi rn$, with $r$ the cylinder radius and $n$ the number of revolutions. (you don't have to consider vectors calculating $\Delta W$, because $F_F$ and $s$ always point to the same direction $\Rightarrow$ $\phi = 0 \Rightarrow \cos(\phi) = 1$)

By measuring the temperature, one can obtain $\Delta Q = C_{total}\cdot\Delta T$.

To the questions. What are the possible outcomes for $\mu$? In an idealized case, where no energy gets lost/dissipated, one can clearly assume $\mu = 1$. What's the meaning behind $\mu > 1$ and $\mu < 1$?

My ideas and assertions:

• In a closed, ideal system, one can completely transfer all mechanical energy $W$ in heat energy $Q$
• One cannot transfer all heat $Q$ back into $W$ (Perpetuum mobile 2nd kind)

This yields, $\Delta Q$ must always be greater than $\Delta W$, because you can't transfer everything into mechanical work $\Rightarrow \mu \leq 1$. But, viewed the other way round, if $\Delta W$ is less than $\Delta Q$, where does the energy to raise $Q$ come from? The cylinder is in thermal equilibrium with the room temperature before one starts to crank, so there is no input from another warmth bath.

Answer 1

First, I should say that $\Delta W$ and $\Delta Q$ don't have meaning. $\Delta$ exists for state functions, but work and heat are path functions. A system doesn't have heat or work. Heat and work are recognized when they are transmitted through system's boundary.

Second, the correct equation is $\Delta U=mC\Delta T$. So, I assume that you want to determine $\large{\frac W{\Delta U}}$

What's the meaning behind $\mu\gt1$ and $\mu\lt1$?

$\mu\gt1$ means some portion of work has been used for another purpose (for example, increasing surrounding temperature) except increasing the internal energy of your sightly system.

$\mu\lt1$ means the system has received some heat from surrounding.

In a closed, ideal system, one can completely transfer all mechanical energy $W$ in heat energy $Q$

One cannot transfer all heat $Q$ back into $W$ (Perpetuum mobile 2nd kind)

I cannot understand what is the $Q$. As I mentioned a system doesn't have heat. During the first experiment, work is converted to internal energy of the system. Now, there is no heat here. System has a internal energy bigger than its initial state.