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What four stages occur in the Carnot cycle?
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thermodynamics
Rudolf Clausius (1822 - 1888) is considered one of the central founders of the science of thermodynamics.
The Carnot cycle is an ideal sequence of changes for a heat engine, consisting of four successive stages:1
- Isothermal expansion: The working substance expands while being heated at a constant high temperature, absorbing heat from the source.1
- Reversible adiabatic expansion: The substance continues to expand while the system is insulated, performing work at the expense of its internal energy.12
- Isothermal compression: The substance is compressed while being cooled at a constant low temperature, rejecting heat to the sink.1
- Reversible adiabatic compression: The substance is compressed while insulated, receiving work until it returns to its initial state.1
This cycle serves as the theoretical standard for the maximum efficiency of any heat engine operating between two specific temperatures.1