Lesson 46 The Engine of Nature

The invention of the steam engine led to the expansion of western culture due to both transportation and economic benefits.

James Watt used a condenser to cool steam outside of the engine allowed for further developments and progress.

A cylinder with a moveable end, pushed by pressurized steam, opening a valve to the boiler emits high pressure steam that pushes the piston out doing work on the fly wheel, which pushes the cylinder back in again for the next cycle.

The water wheel led to the steam engine, where water or steam can only flow from a higher plane to a lower plane. Sadi Carnot theorized the steam engine must be comprised of mechinisms that allow for the flow of heat to progress form high coloric to low coloric.

No machine or combination of machines can ever have the effect of making more heat run up to high temperature than down to low temperature. This is known as the second law of thermodynamics.

The most effective engine is one that can transform low temperatures to high temperatures.

Isothermal - as heat is applied, gas expands and work is done. The cylinder is heated prior to the application of more heat. This will allow for a reversable action as heat may flow in both directions.

Adiabatic - a conversion that occurs without input or release of heat within a system.

In a Carnot engine, the engine follows a process that is repeated:

Isothermal - the cylinder is heated prior to the application of more heat which allows for the expansion of the gas.

Adiabatic - no heat is applied as the gas continues to expand as the heat of the cylinder continues to heat the gas.

Isothermal - the cylinder is cooled prior to the application of low temperature which allows for the gas to contract.

Adiabatic - the cylinder is not cooled as the cooled cylinder causes the gas and piston to contract nearly completely.

Gases need space to expand and contract, and require a container for heat to be released.

Carnot engine:

e (efficiency) = W/Qi

The most efficient engine that nature allows follows the principle Qo/Qi = To/Ti. These discoveries led to the future concept of entropy.