[Carnot Engine: 2nd Law of Thermodynamics]

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Calculator		 A heat engine is a machine that converts thermal (heat) energy into other forms of energy, usually mechanical or electric energy.

It goes through cyclical changes in which a source of heat is transferred.

  • heat has been created or absorbed in a high-temperature area
  • this heat has a tendency to disperse...flowing to a cooler area
  • the heat passes through an engine
  • the heat is used to do work by the engine
  • the heat left over flows to the cold reservoir where it is expelled as waste

[Conceptual View of Carnot Engine]

The cyclical process is comprised of several steps:

  • the first being isothermal expansion in a heat reservoir
  • the second being adiabatic expaions when Q = 0
  • the third being isothermal compression in the heat reservoir
  • the forth being adiabatic compression when Q = 0

If the source of energy is gas, then its PV diagram will be the area enclosed by the graph.

[P vs V graph]
[Back to the Top Practice Questions]
Key Themes
  • Carnot Engine
  • Cycles
  • P vs V
  • Practice Questions

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