Cyclic Process

What is a Cyclic Process?

The process in which the initial and final states are the same is known as a cyclic process. It is a sequence of processes that leave the system in the same state in which it started.

Cyclic Process

When a system undergoes a cyclic process, its initial and final internal energies are equal. Hence, the internal energy change in any cyclic process is zero. Applying the first law of thermodynamics to a cyclic process, we get,

\(\begin{array}{l}\Delta E=Q+W\end{array} \)
\(\begin{array}{l}\textup{as}\,\,\Delta E=0,\,\,W=Q\end{array} \)

Hence, the work done by the system in a cyclic transformation is equal to the heat absorbed by the system. The network involved in a cyclic process is the area enclosed in a P-V diagram. If the cycle goes clockwise, the system does work. If the cycle goes anticlockwise, then the work is done on the system every cycle. An example of such a system is a refrigerator or air conditioner. The Carnot engine is the best example of a cyclic process.

What is a Heat Engine?

A heat engine is a device by which a system is made to undergo a cyclic process that results in the conversion of heat to work.

  • Heat engines consist of a working substance– the system. For example, steam in a steam engine is the working substance.
  • The working substance goes through a cycle of several processes. In some processes, it absorbs heat from a reservoir at a high temperature.
  • In some processes, the working substance releases some amount of heat to an external reservoir at a lower temperature.
  • The work done by the system in a cycle is transferred to the environment through some arrangements. For example, the working substance may be in a cylinder with a moving piston that transfers mechanical energy to the wheels of the vehicle.

The schematic representation of a heat engine is represented as follows:

Heat Engine

The cycle is repeated to get the useful work done for some purpose.

What is a Refrigerator?

A refrigerator is a reverse of the heat engine. Here, the working substance extracts some amount of heat from the cold reservoir at some temperature T1. External work W is done on it and heat Q is released to the hot reservoir at a temperature T2. The schematic representation of a refrigerator is given below.

Schematic Representation of a Refrigerator

Related Articles

Carnot’s Theorem Heat Engine Efficiency
Kelvin-Planck Statement Clausius Statement

Stay tuned to BYJU’S to learn more physics concepts like the working of refrigerator and heat pumps with the help of interactive videos.

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