Energy physics concepts for Olympiad curricula and a simple optimization of the Rankine cycle

Abstract We proposed and solved a thought-provoking Olympiad-level problem with the aim to introduce high-school students to real-life physics and engineering principles encompassing energy production-wise and environmentally relevant technologies. In the first part, we discussed the physics behind hydraulic jumps and embedded it in several heat engine applications comprising of a Pelton wheel and a Rankine cycle. Next, we ran through a simple optimization method for the efficiency of a polytropic Rankine-type engine. We also tangentially commenced a brief discussion on the latest Rankine-related news and the possible relevance of our riddling exercise to this topic.