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.

INDEX
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9