The Carnot Cycle, Reversibility and Entropy

The Carnot cycle and the attendant notions of reversibility entropy are examined. It is shown how modern view these concepts still corresponds to ideas Clausius laid down in nineteenth century. As such, they reflect outmoded idea, current at time, that heat motion. this led develop a body based on work could be performed reversible process rather than actually an irreversible process. In consequence, built into conflict with energy conservation, which concerned actual changes energy. paper, irreversibility investigated by means macroscopic formulation internal mechanisms damping rate equations for distribution within gas. processes involving step change external pressure, however small, intrinsically irreversible. However, under idealised conditions zero gas inside piston expands traces out trajectory through space equilibrium states. Therefore, due flow from reservoir matches This can traced reverse as reverses direction, but if adjusted appropriately, made trace P-V space. dynamic opposed quasi-static has kinetic equal difference internally externally.