Thermodynamic Efficiency Calculator

What is Thermodynamic Efficiency?

Thermodynamic efficiency measures how effectively a system converts one form of energy into another. In heat engines, it represents the ratio of useful work output to total energy input. The concept is fundamental to understanding energy conversion processes and their limitations.

Carnot Efficiency

The Carnot efficiency represents the theoretical maximum efficiency possible for a heat engine operating between two temperature reservoirs. Key points:

• It's independent of the working substance
• Depends only on the temperature difference
• Sets the upper limit for all real heat engines
• Increases as temperature difference increases

Real Heat Engines

Real heat engines always have lower efficiency than the Carnot efficiency due to:

• Friction and mechanical losses
• Heat losses to surroundings
• Irreversible processes
• Material limitations
• Working fluid properties

Second Law Implications

The efficiency limitations are direct consequences of the Second Law of Thermodynamics:

• Perfect efficiency (100%) is impossible
• Heat always flows from hot to cold
• Entropy always increases in real processes
• Work quality is higher than heat quality