1. The Carnot Cycle
© D Hoult 2011

20. The product of pressure and volume represents a quantity of

21. The product of pressure and volume represents a quantity of work

22. The product of pressure and volume represents a quantity of work
This is represented by

23. The product of pressure and volume represents a quantity of work
This is represented by the area under the curve on the p-V diagram

25. Work done by the gas during expansion

27. Work done on the gas during compression

29. Net work done by the engine during one cycle

30. The work done by the engine per cycle is indicated by the area enclosed by the curves on the p-V diagram.

31. The work done by the engine per cycle is indicated by the area enclosed by the curves on the p-V diagram.
An obvious way to increase this area is to

32. The work done by the engine per cycle is indicated by the area enclosed by the curves on the p-V diagram.
An obvious way to increase this area is to increase the difference between the temperatures at which the two isothermal changes occur

33. The work done by the engine per cycle is indicated by the area enclosed by the curves on the p-V diagram.
An obvious way to increase this area is to increase the difference between the temperatures at which the two isothermal changes occur
We can therefore conclude that the efficiency of a heat engine will be improved if

34. The work done by the engine per cycle is indicated by the area enclosed by the curves on the p-V diagram.
An obvious way to increase this area is to increase the difference between the temperatures at which the two isothermal changes occur
We can therefore conclude that the efficiency of a heat engine will be improved if the difference between the temperatures of the heat source and heat sink is increased

35. It is important to notice that the Carnot cycle (as described above) is completely

36. It is important to notice that the Carnot cycle (as described above) is completely reversible

37. It is important to notice that the Carnot cycle (as described above) is completely reversible
During the Carnot cycle, a quantity of energy is transferred from a hot body to a cold body and work is done by the gas

40. It is important to notice that the Carnot cycle (as described above) is completely reversible
During the Carnot cycle, a quantity of energy is transferred from a hot body to a cold body and work is done by the gas
If the procedure is reversed the same quantity of energy is transferred from a cold body to a hot body and the same quantity of work is done on the gas

41. Carnot suggested that for a given temperature difference between source and sink, no heat engine can be more efficient than a reversible engine

42. Carnot suggested that for a given temperature difference between source and sink, no heat engine can be more efficient than a reversible engine
In practice, for the process to be (almost) reversible:

43. Carnot suggested that for a given temperature difference between source and sink, no heat engine can be more efficient than a reversible engine
In practice, for the process to be (almost) reversible:
The isothermal changes must be made

44. Carnot suggested that for a given temperature difference between source and sink, no heat engine can be more efficient than a reversible engine
In practice, for the process to be (almost) reversible:
The isothermal changes must be made very slowly

45. Carnot suggested that for a given temperature difference between source and sink, no heat engine can be more efficient than a reversible engine
In practice, for the process to be (almost) reversible:
The isothermal changes must be made very slowly
The cylinder must be perfectly

46. Carnot suggested that for a given temperature difference between source and sink, no heat engine can be more efficient than a reversible engine
In practice, for the process to be (almost) reversible:
The isothermal changes must be made very slowly
The cylinder must be perfectly insulated

47. Carnot suggested that for a given temperature difference between source and sink, no heat engine can be more efficient than a reversible engine
In practice, for the process to be (almost) reversible:
The isothermal changes must be made very slowly
The cylinder must be perfectly insulated
There must be no

48. Carnot suggested that for a given temperature difference between source and sink, no heat engine can be more efficient than a reversible engine
In practice, for the process to be (almost) reversible:
The isothermal changes must be made very slowly
The cylinder must be perfectly insulated
There must be no friction