Basic Principles
The Carnot cycle is an ideal thermodynamic cycle consisting of four reversible processes:
- Isothermal Expansion (1→2)
- Adiabatic Expansion (2→3)
- Isothermal Compression (3→4)
- Adiabatic Compression (4→1)
Calculate Maximum Theoretical Efficiency
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Calculate the maximum theoretical efficiency of a heat engine operating between two temperatures.
Calculate work output and heat transfers for each process in the Carnot cycle.
The Carnot cycle is an ideal thermodynamic cycle consisting of four reversible processes:
Key aspects of Carnot efficiency:
Important theoretical aspects:
Practical implications:
η = 1 - Tc/Th
η = W/Qh
W = Qh - Qc
Isothermal: PV = constant
Adiabatic: PV^γ = constant
Q = nRT ln(V2/V1)
W = P∆V
Q = mC∆T
∆S = Q/T