The Carnot Cycle

The Carnot cycle is a theoretical model that describes the most efficient way a heat engine can operate between two temperatures. It involves four steps: two are adiabatic processes where no heat exchanges occur, and two are isothermal processes where the engine absorbs and releases heat at constant temperatures. During these processes, the engine converts heat into work—like pulling a piston—while always respecting the laws of thermodynamics. The cycle demonstrates that no engine can be more efficient than a Carnot engine running between the same hot and cold temperatures, setting an upper efficiency limit for heat engines.