Carnot

Definition

The Carnot cycle is a theoretical thermodynamic cycle that provides the maximum possible efficiency for a heat engine. It serves as an idealized model for understanding entropy in reversible processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Carnot cycle consists of two isothermal processes and two adiabatic processes.
2. Efficiency of a Carnot engine depends only on the temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs.
3. No real engine can be more efficient than a Carnot engine operating between the same two temperatures.
4. The entropy change over one complete Carnot cycle is zero, indicating it is a reversible process.
5. The formula for the efficiency of a Carnot engine is given by $\eta = 1 - \frac{T_{cold}}{T_{hot}}$, where $T$ is temperature in Kelvin.

Review Questions

• What are the four stages of the Carnot cycle?
• How is the efficiency of a Carnot engine calculated?
• Why can't any real engine achieve greater efficiency than a Carnot engine?

Related terms

Entropy: A measure of disorder or randomness in a system, often denoted as $S$. In thermodynamics, it quantifies energy dispersal.

Isothermal Process: A process that occurs at constant temperature, meaning heat exchange occurs without changing the internal energy.

Adiabatic Process: A process in which no heat exchange occurs with the surroundings, leading to changes in temperature and internal energy.