Carnot Engine

  1. "Air at temperature T1 is held in a cyclinder, closed by an insulated piston (starting position: cd). A hot source A, with temperature T1, and a cold source B, with temperature T2, constitute infinite reservoirs of heat.
  2. The cylinder is put in contact with A: the heat passes from the source to the air, that relaxes freely and pushes the piston to the position ef.
  3. The cylinder is isolated from all source of heat. During its adiabatic expansion, the air pushes the piston until gh: its temperature falls to T2.
  4. The cylinder, with temperature T2 then, is put in contact with the heat source B, with identical temperature. A "theoretical" experimenter pushes the piston downwards: this isothermal compression brings it to position cd. Heat passes from the air to the source B.
  5. The cylinder is isolated from the outside again. The "theoretical" experimenter continues to push the piston until it reaches position ik, in such a way that the air temperature reaches T1.
  6. The cylinder is put in contact with A, which delivers heat to the air: it expands until the piston comes back to its initial position cd."

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