Carnot Cycle: Understanding Why Real Engines Fall Short

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Real engines cannot achieve the efficiency of the Carnot cycle due to two primary factors: they do not operate on the Carnot cycle, which requires infinite time for reversible processes, and they experience friction and other losses that lead to irreversible processes. Consequently, real engines complete processes in finite time, resulting in increased entropy and heat loss. Understanding these limitations is crucial for analyzing engine efficiency and thermodynamic principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic cycles, specifically the Carnot cycle
  • Knowledge of irreversible processes in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with concepts of entropy and heat loss
  • Basic principles of engine mechanics and efficiency
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of irreversible processes in thermodynamics
  • Study the efficiency limits of real engines compared to ideal cycles
  • Explore methods to minimize friction and heat loss in engine design
  • Learn about advanced thermodynamic cycles beyond the Carnot cycle
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, physicists, and students studying thermodynamics, as well as anyone involved in the design and optimization of engine efficiency.

drcrabs
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
Why do real engines never attain the efficiency of the Carnot cycle?
 
Science news on Phys.org
Two reasons:
-First, they don't use the carnot cycle because its acts slowly.
-Second, all real engines produce friction and other losses.
 
So what type are processes are we talking about?
 
Carnot cycle: reversible processes require infinite time to complete.

"Real engine:" processes are completed in finite time, and are, therefore, irreversible, meaning more heat is lost in increasing the entropy of the universe.
 

Similar threads

High School Question regarding Heat Transfer in Carnot Engine
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Irreversible cycles, Carnot's Principle and volume-pressure diagrams
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Efficiency of cycles bounded by two isotherms
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
How many reversible thermodynamic cycles are there between two heat reservoirs?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Proving Carnot efficiency is maximum and conditions
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
The entropy of a Carnot cycle and the efficiency equation
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Reversible Otto Cycle Efficiency: Investigating the Difference from Carnot's
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Do Carnot and Stirling Engines Have the Same Efficiency?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
14K
The Carnot Cycle: Efficiency and Validity with Gases, Solids, and Liquids
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Why the Carnot Cycle? | Understanding Efficiency in Heat Engines
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K