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Carnot Engine

The document discusses the Carnot engine, a theoretical thermodynamic cycle. It describes how the Carnot engine estimates the maximum possible efficiency of heat engines operating between two temperature reservoirs. The efficiency depends only on the reservoirs' temperatures, not the working substance. The Carnot cycle involves four processes: two isothermal and two adiabatic processes.

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Ian Jonathan Ombao
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36 views5 pages

Carnot Engine

The document discusses the Carnot engine, a theoretical thermodynamic cycle. It describes how the Carnot engine estimates the maximum possible efficiency of heat engines operating between two temperature reservoirs. The efficiency depends only on the reservoirs' temperatures, not the working substance. The Carnot cycle involves four processes: two isothermal and two adiabatic processes.

Uploaded by

Ian Jonathan Ombao
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Carnot engine is a theoretical engine that operates on the

Carnot cycle. Nicolas Leonard Sadi Carnot developed the


basic model for this engine in 1824. In this descriptive article,
you will learn about the Carnot cycle and Carnot Theorem in
detail.

What is a Carnot Engine?


The Carnot engine is a theoretical thermodynamic cycle
proposed by Leonard Carnot. It estimates the maximum
possible efficiency that a heat engine during the conversion
process of heat into work and, conversely, working between
two reservoirs can possess.

Carnot Theorem
According to Carnot Theorem:
Any system working between T1 (hot reservoir) and T2 (cold
reservoir) can never have more efficiency than the Carnot
engine operating between the same reservoirs.
Also, the efficiency of this type of engine is independent of the
nature of the working substance and is only dependent on the
temperature of the hot and cold reservoirs.

Carnot Cycle
A Carnot cycle is defined as an ideal reversible closed
thermodynamic cycle. Four successive operations are
involved: isothermal expansion, adiabatic expansion,
isothermal compression, and adiabatic compression. During
these operations, the expansion and compression of the
substance can be done up to the desired point and back to
the initial state.
Following are the four processes of the Carnot cycle:
 In (a), the process is reversible isothermal gas
expansion. In this process, the amount of heat absorbed
by the ideal gas is qin from the heat source at a
temperature of Th. The gas expands and does work on
the surroundings.
 In (b), the process is reversible adiabatic gas expansion.
Here, the system is thermally insulated, and the gas
continues to expand and work is done on the
surroundings. Now the temperature is lower, Tl.
 In (c), the process is a reversible isothermal gas
compression process. Here, the heat loss q out occurs
when the surroundings do the work at temperature Tl.
 In (d), the process is reversible adiabatic gas
compression. Again the system is thermally insulated.
The temperature again rises back to T h as the
surrounding continue to do their work on the gas.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs


Q1
What is a working fluid in Carnot’s cycle?
The working fluid in a Carnot’s cycle is an ideal gas.
Q2
What is a Carnot heat engine?
Carnot heat engine is a theoretical engine that operates on a
reversible carnot cycle. It has maximum efficiency that a heat
engine can possess.
Q3
Name the processes involved in the Carnot cycle?
It involves four processes: isothermal expansion, adiabatic
expansion, isothermal compression and adiabatic
compression.
Q4
What happens in the isothermal expansion process?
In the isothermal expansion process, gas is taken from P 1, V1,
T1 to P2, V2, T2. Heat Q1 is absorbed from the reservoir at
temperature T1. The total change in internal energy is zero
and the heat absorbed by the gas is equal to the work done.
Q5
Is Carnot’s cycle reversible?
The Carnot heat-engine cycle described is a totally reversible
cycle.
1. What is a refrigeration cycle? (3pts)
2. What are the four components of a refrigerator (4pts)
3. Onboard a ship, expansion device is called as? (1 pt)
4. What is a carnot engine? (3 pts)
5. Draw a PV diagram of a carnot engine (4 pts)

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