Carnot cycle

Carnot cycle

An idealized reversible work cycle defined for any system, but usually limited, in meteorology, to a so-called perfect gas.

The Carnot cycle consists of four states: 1) an isothermal expansion of the gas at a temperature T₁; 2) an adiabatic expansion to temperature T₂; 3) an isothermal compression at temperature T₂; and 4) an adiabatic compression to the original state of the gas to complete the cycle. In a Carnot cycle, the net work done is the difference between the heat input Q₁ at higher temperature T₁ and the heat extracted Q₂ at the lower temperature T₂. The atmospheric general circulation and some storms, notably hurricanes, incorporate a process similar to a Carnot cycle.
See Carnot engine, thermodynamic efficiency.

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