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The Carnot Cycle

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Harold H. Harris

Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63121

J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (11), p 1556

DOI: 10.1021/ed078p1556.2

Publication Date (Web): November 1, 2001

Abstract

With this Mathcad document students investigate the Carnot cycle with numerical calculations on an ideal, monatomic gas. They discover the consequences on the net work and the thermodynamic efficiency of changing variables such as the pressure to which expansion occurs, and the working temperatures of the process. Especially informative are indicator diagrams in color that illustrate the work associated with each step of the cycle. Pressure versus volume is integrated using the trapezoid rule, and compared to exact calculations.

A much more challenging problem is to repeat the calculation, using a real gas equation of state. The van der Waals model of methane is thoroughly illustrated as an example; the instructor can decide how much of this help would be provided to students. Student groups might be assigned different gases or different equations of state with as much of the van der Waals development provided as is appropriate for the course and the students.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Feature):

Mathcad in the Chemistry Curriculum

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Computer-Based Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Thermodynamics

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Thermodynamics for Visual Learners
Todd M. Hamilton
Journal of Chemical Education2003 80 (12), 1425
- Thermodynamics for Visual Learners
  Todd M. Hamilton
  Journal of Chemical Education2003 80 (12), 1425
  One of the difficulties in learning physical chemistry is mastering the many abstract concepts. Some students are visual learners and for them a picture is truly worth a thousand words. I have developed several examples for visual learners in the area of ...
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