The Carnot Cycle
       
 

The proof that entropy is a state function

The Carnot cycle is a moreof a consistency argeument than a proof. It shows that neither heat nor work are state functions in a cycle process that involves an input of heat and output of work. However, the heat transferred divided by the temperature is a state function. In order to understand the consistency argument used in the Carnot cycle we need to investigate the properties of adiabatic processes. The first segment addresses that issue. It shows how T, V and P are related during an adiabatic process.

PDF Version of Adiabatic Change

Once we understand the relationships between T, V and P for an adiabatic process we are ready to tackle the Carnot cycle. The cycle is based on an expandions that is divided into two parts, one isothermal and one adiabatic. The compression to return to the original state is likely divided into two parts. The Carnot cycle is used to show that neither heat nor work is a state functino for a cylic pcocess that passes through these four states.