That's about it. This idea is the basis of Carnot's theorem.cos(e) said:quick question, is the difference between a carnot engine to an engine is that the engines eff is less than or equal 1-(cold temp / hot temp), and the carnot is the max of this which is just equal 1-(cold temp / hot temp)?
The Carnot engine is a theoretical engine that operates on the principle of thermodynamic efficiency. It was proposed by French engineer Sadi Carnot in 1824 and is considered to be the most efficient engine possible.
The maximum efficiency of a Carnot engine is determined by the Carnot cycle, and is given by the formula: η = (T1 - T2) / T1, where T1 is the temperature of the hot reservoir and T2 is the temperature of the cold reservoir.
The Carnot engine has the highest theoretical efficiency of any engine. It serves as a standard for comparison to other real-world engines, which can never achieve 100% efficiency due to factors such as friction and heat loss.
Examples of other engines include steam engines, gasoline engines, and diesel engines. These engines operate on different principles and have different efficiencies, but they all fall short of the theoretical maximum efficiency of the Carnot engine.
The Carnot engine is considered to be the most efficient engine because it operates on a reversible cycle and has no internal friction or heat loss. It serves as a benchmark for the maximum possible efficiency of any heat engine.