Which outcome occurs when early steam engines fed by surface condensers ingested non-condensable gases?

💡 Explanation

When non-condensable gases enter the condenser, partial pressure increases because Dalton's Law applies, thereby reducing the steam's partial pressure, limiting the vacuum achievable, and reducing the pressure differential across the piston. Therefore, engine power and efficiency are reduced, rather than other failures which require different mechanisms such as overpressure or lubrication issues.

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