Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Second Law of Thermodynamics: Heat Engines and Their Efficiency
By the end of this section, you will be able to state the expressions of the second law of thermodynamics; calculate the efficiency and carbon dioxide emission of a coal-fired electricity plant, using second law characteristics; and...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Cycle
The heat engine cycle is defined and discussed. So pressure-volume diagrams are introduced and their use in depicting the cycles of a heat engine is demonstrated. Informative graphics are accompanied by reason-filled explanations.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Concepts: Carnot Cycle
The Carnot cycle is described, illustrated and explained. The Carnot efficiency equation is given and interactive JavaScript form allows the visitor to investigate the effect of the reservoir temperature and the sink temperature upon the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Passive Solar Design
Students are introduced to passive solar design for buildings--an approach that uses the sun's energy and the surrounding climate to provide natural heating and cooling. They learn about some of the disadvantage of conventional heating...
![Thermal Physics Module: Heat Engines [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Thermal Physics Module: Heat Engines [Pdf] Website")
University of Sydney (Australia)
Thermal Physics Module: Heat Engines [Pdf]
The second law of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy is applied to the topic of heat engines. The Carnot and Stirling engine are discussed. Efficiency is explained and an equation is derived.
Other
Applied Thermodynamics: Heat Engines
Forward and reverse heat engines are discussed and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Diagrams are provided. Efficiency equations are given and discussed.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Rudolf Diesel
An interesting account of Rudolf Diesel and his invention of the diesel engine. The text is the actual transcript of a syndicated radio broadcast called "Engines of Ingenuity." Outstanding information on Diesel and his engine invention.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Efficiency of an Engine
Determine the efficiency of an engine (0 - 1) based on the energy flow that is presented to you.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Efficiency of a Water Heating System
Students use a watt meter to measure energy input into a hot plate or hot pot used to heat water. The theoretical amount of energy required to raise the water by the measure temperature change is calculated and compared to the electrical...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Ideal Engine Lab
This lab is designed to have students examine how the temperature of the heat source and the temperature of the coolant effect the efficiency of the ideal engine.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Heat Transfer
Students explore heat transfer and energy efficiency using the context of energy efficient houses. They gain a solid understanding of the three types of heat transfer: radiation, convection and conduction, which are explained in detail...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy Efficient Housing
We all know that it takes energy to provide us with the basics of shelter: heating, cooling, lighting, electricity, sanitation and cooking. To create energy-efficient housing that is practical for people to use every day requires...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy Efficiency
Students measure energy outputs and inputs to determine the efficiency of conversions and simple systems. One associated activitiy includes Lego motors and accomplishing work. The other investigates energy for heating water. Students...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Light vs. Heat Bulbs
Students measure the light output and temperature (as a measure of heat output) for three types of light bulbs to identify why some light bulbs are more efficient (more light with less energy) than others.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Zero Energy Housing
Students investigate passive solar building design with a focus solely on heating. They learn how insulation, window placement, thermal mass, surface colors, and site orientation play important roles in passive solar heating. They use...
University of Sydney (Australia)
Thermal Physics Module: Refrigerators and Heat Pumps [Pdf]
Refrigerators and heat pumps are described. Their operation is explained and the variables which improve their efficiency is discussed.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solar Water: Heat It Up!
Students explore energy efficiency, focusing on renewable energy, by designing and building flat-plate solar water heaters. They apply their understanding of the three forms of heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation), as...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: To Heat or Not to Heat?
Students are introduced to various types of energy with a focus on thermal energy and types of heat transfer as they are challenged to design a better travel thermos that is cost efficient, aesthetically pleasing and meets the design...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solar Water Heater
Student teams design and build solar water heating devices that mimic those used in residences to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy. This thermal energy is next transferred to water (to be...
Colorado State University
Csu: Model of Basic Otto Cycle
This site from the Colorado State University discusses the Otto cycle of a car engine. Includes a highly mathematical treatment of the efficiency of such engines. Includes a link to a java applet investigating the efficiency of such...
National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame: Rudolf Diesel
A short biographical sketch of Rudolf Diesel. Describes his personal and professional interests. Also discusses the details of the first diesel engine as invented by Rudolf Diesel.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy Conversions
Students evaluate various everyday energy conversion devices and draw block flow diagrams to show the forms and states of energy into and out of the device. They also identify the forms of energy that are useful and the desired output of...
Curated OER
Applied Thermodynamics: Heat Engines
Forward and reverse heat engines are discussed and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Diagrams are provided. Efficiency equations are given and discussed.
Curated OER
Applied Thermodynamics: Heat Engines
Forward and reverse heat engines are discussed and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Diagrams are provided. Efficiency equations are given and discussed.