Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 15 - The Laws of Thermodynamics - Search and Learn - Page 442: 3

Answer

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Work Step by Step

A Carnot engine (page 422) is an idealized 4-step engine. It follows four steps: an isothermal expansion, an adiabatic expansion, an isothermal compression, and an adiabatic compression. In a Carnot engine, the process moves so slowly that the process can be considered as a series of equilibrium states. Thus, every step is reversible, and the net entropy change for the whole cycle is zero. Therefore, a Carnot engine achieves maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, a Carnot engine is not at all practical to construct. All real engines are less efficient than it, because of losses due to friction and other nonconservative forces.
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