We unpack the Carnot cycle—the ideal, reversible engine that defines the maximum efficiency any heat-to-work machine can reach. We'll walk through the four steps (isothermal and adiabatic) between hot and cold reservoirs, derive the efficiency eta = 1 − Tc/Th, and discuss why real engines fall short due to irreversibilities. We’ll also explore the historical context, the diesel engine inspiration, and what Carnot’s limit means for energy design and future technologies like fuel cells.

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