In the year 1824 a young French engineer Sadi Carnot proved that a certain reversible engine operated in cycle between hot and cold reservoir can have maximum efficiency. This engine is called Carnot engine.
A reversible heat engine operating in a cycle between two temperatures in a particular way is called a Carnot Engine. The carnot engine has four parts which are given below.
(i) Source: It is the source of heat maintained at constant high temperature TH . Any amount of heat can be extracted from it, without changing its temperature.
(ii) Sink: It is a cold body maintained at a constant low temperature TL. It can absorb any amount of heat.
(iii) Insulating stand: It is made of perfectly nonconducting material. Heat is not conducted through this stand.
(iv) Working substance: It is an ideal gas enclosed in a cylinder with perfectly non-conducting walls and perfectly conducting bottom. A nonconducting and frictionless piston is fitted in it.
