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Carnot cycle

Description

Every single thermodynamic system exists in a particular state. When a system is taken through a series of different states and finally returned to its initial state, a thermodynamic cycle is said to have occurred. In the process of going through this cycle, the system may perform work on its surroundings, thereby acting as a heat engine. A system undergoing a Carnot cycle is called a Carnot heat engine.

Related formulas

Variables

WWork done by the system (energy exiting the system as work) (J)
THThe absolute temperature of the hot reservoir. (K)
TCThe absolute temperature of the cold reservoir, (K)
SBMaximum system entropy (J/K)
SAMinimum system entropy (J/K)