Carnot cycle

noun

, Thermodynamics.

1. an ideal cycle of reversible engine operations in which a substance at one temperature is compressed adiabatically to a second temperature, expanded isothermally at the second temperature, expanded adiabatically from the second temperature to the first temperature, and compressed isothermally at the first temperature.

Carnot cycle

noun

1. an idealized reversible heat-engine cycle giving maximum efficiency and consisting of an isothermal expansion, an adiabatic expansion, an isothermal compression, and an adiabatic compression back to the initial state

Word History and Origins

Origin of Carnot cycle¹

After N. L. S. Carnot

Example Sentences

The formula is the same as that for the Carnot cycle with the same range of temperature in expansion.

From Project Gutenberg