Carnot Cycle and Carnot Theorem: Working Principle and Relation to Second Law of Thermodynamics – Part 2

Assumptions of Carnot Cycle

The Carnot cycle comprises two reversible isothermal and two reversible adiabatic processes. Both of these are ideal process which cannot be achieved in practical situations. A Carnot engine can be considered to be similar to piston and cylinder type of engine. While proposing the processes, Carnot made certain assumptions as given below:

1) There is no friction at all between the piston and cylinder and other moving parts of the engine, thus there is no heat generated and lost due to friction.

2) There is also no exchange of heat between various parts of the engine.

3) The engine is completely insulated; hence there is no transfer of heat with the external atmosphere.