Does the Ideal Engine Truly Exist?
For a long time, scientists have yearned to create the ideal engine to maximize power output and optimize efficiency. But many of them failed. This poses a theoretical question — does an ideal engine really exist, or is it a distant dream scientists have yet to achieve?
An engine or motor is a machine designated to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy. Engines allow vehicles to run, planes to fly and boats to slide across the serene seas
In the wake of the industrial revolution, numerous scientific discoveries were made. The steam engine was successfully developed in the 18th century. However, these engines were bulky and extremely inefficient.
In 1824, Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot developed a theoretical ideal engine: The Carnot engine.
The Carnot engine works on a theoretical thermodynamic cycle proposed by Carnot. The exchange of heat between the hot reservoir and cold reservoir maximizes the engine’s efficiency.
So, does this mean that scientists have invented a perfect engine?
Unfortunately, the Carnot engine remains theoretical.
For heat to be transferred, there must be a temperature difference between the two objects. If a cold reservoir in the Carnot Engine did not exist, heat from the hot reservoir would be continuously transmitted to do work. The second law of thermodynamics prohibits 100 % efficiency in a thermodynamic cycle. Heat can not be converted from a single reservoir to work in a thermodynamic cycle.
(Let me know in the comments if you would like to see a blog post explaining the 3 Laws of Thermodynamics!)
While the Carnot engine remains imperfect, it remains as one of the best models for an engine. Nowadays, scientists try to create engines that are similar to the Carnot engine. Nevertheless, this serves as an excellent reminder that nobody is perfect, and all of you are perfect the way you are :)
