Carnot engine

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-004179",
  "term": "Carnot engine",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "An idealized thermodynamic model for a heat engine that converts thermal energy into mechanical work with the maximum possible efficiency. It functions between two thermal reservoirs at different temperatures, undergoing a reversible cycle of two isothermal and two adiabatic processes. The efficiency of a Carnot engine is determined solely by the absolute temperatures of the hot (TH) and cold (TC) reservoirs, calculated as 1 minus the ratio of TC to TH.",
  "see_also": [
    "reversible process"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/carnot-engine/"
}