Carnot cycle

(noun)

A theoretical thermodynamic cycle. It is the most efficient cycle for converting a given amount of thermal energy into work.

Related Terms

  • reversible
  • absolute zero

Examples of Carnot cycle in the following topics:

  • Carnot Cycles

    • The Carnot cycle is the most efficient cyclical process possible and uses only reversible processes through its cycle.
    • He devised a theoretical cycle, now called the Carnot cycle, which is the most efficient cyclical process possible.
    • Any heat engine employing the Carnot cycle is called a Carnot engine.
    • What is crucial to the Carnot cycle is that only reversible processes are used.
    • The Carnot cycle comprises two isothermal and two adiabatic processes.
  • What is Entropy?

    • We can see how entropy is defined by recalling our discussion of the Carnot engine.
    • We noted that for a Carnot cycle, and hence for any reversible processes, Qc/Qh=Tc/Th.
    • The definition of ΔS is strictly valid only for reversible processes, such as used in a Carnot engine.
    • Now let us take a look at the change in entropy of a Carnot engine and its heat reservoirs for one full cycle .
    • PV diagram for a Carnot cycle, employing only reversible isothermal and adiabatic processes.
  • Global Warming Revisited

    • In a Carnot engine, which is the most efficient theoretical engine based on Carnot cycle, the maximum efficiency is equal to one minus the temperature of the heat sink (Tc) divided by the temperature of the heat source (Th).
  • Heat Engines

    • A cyclical process brings a system, such as the gas in a cylinder, back to its original state at the end of every cycle.
    • A cyclical process brings the system back to its original condition at the end of every cycle.
    • By definition, such a system's internal energy U is the same at the beginning and end of every cycle—that is, ΔU=0.
    • Since ΔU=0 for a complete cycle, we have W=Q.
    • A brief introduction to heat engines and thermodynamic concepts such as the Carnot Engine for students.
  • Heat Pumps and Refrigerators

    • (In a cooling cycle, the evaporator and condenser coils exchange roles and the flow direction of the fluid is reversed. )
    • The efficiency of a perfect engine (or Carnot engine) is
  • The Carbon Cycle

  • Life Cycle of Small Business

  • Acetyl CoA and the Citric Acid Cycle

    • The citric acid cycle, shown in —also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) or the Krebs cycle—is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetate—derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins—into carbon dioxide.
    • The NADH generated by the TCA cycle is fed into the oxidative phosphorylation pathway.
    • Components of the TCA cycle were derived from anaerobic bacteria, and the TCA cycle itself may have evolved more than once.
    • Theoretically there are several alternatives to the TCA cycle, however the TCA cycle appears to be the most efficient.
    • If several alternatives independently evolved, they all rapidly converged to the TCA cycle.
  • The Second Law

    • A brief introduction to heat engines and thermodynamic concepts such as the Carnot Engine for students.
  • The Business Cycle: Definition and Phases

    • The term business cycle refers to economy-wide fluctuations in production, trade, and general economic activity.
    • The term "business cycle" (or economic cycle or boom-bust cycle) refers to economy-wide fluctuations in production, trade, and general economic activity.
    • Business cycles are identified as having four distinct phases: expansion, peak, contraction, and trough.
    • Business cycle fluctuations occur around a long-term growth trend and are usually measured by considering the growth rate of real gross domestic product.
    • The phases of a business cycle follow a wave-like pattern over time with regard to GDP, with expansion leading to a peak and then followed by contraction leading to a trough.
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