Curated OER
Industrial Revolution in America: Exploring the Effects of the Heat Engine on the Growth of Cities
Students research the development of the steam engines. In this US history instructional activity, students analyze the impact of this invention to civilization. They discuss the events leading to the growth and development of different...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat and Thermodynamics
Georgia State University Physics Department privides an incredibly thorough treatment of the laws of thermodynamics. Multiple pages; many informative graphics; opportunities to practice problems and receive immediate feedback.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Heat Engine
[Free Registration/Login Required] Having trouble understanding the energy transfer in heat engines? This simulation allows students to learn about the conversion of heat energy to mechanical energy in the context of heat engine.
Colorado State University
Csu Internal Combustion Engines
Dr. Allan T. Kirkpatrick of Colorado State University presents extensive detailed information on thermodynamics, heat transfer in engines, and fluid mechanics.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Heat Engine
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students will learn about heat engines, explore pressure volume diagrams, and figure how to calculate ideal efficiencies of heat engines.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Second Law of Thermodynamics: Heat Engines and Their Efficiency
In this section of the textbook, learn about the second law of thermodynamics and how it relates to the function of heat engine. Section will also explain how to calculate net work and efficiency of cyclical processes such as a heat...
OpenStax
Open Stax: College Physics: The First Law of Thermodynamics
An online college physics textbook that explores the first law of thermodynamics by defining the processes of a simple heat engine. Section also describes the difference among isobaric, isochoric, isothermal, and adiabatic. Students will...
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 Flow to Hotter Region
Heat flow from a hot region to a cold region is described and explained. Applications of this phenomenon (specifically heat pumps and refrigerators) are discussed. Excellent graphics.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Concepts: The Otto Cycle
Schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of a four-stroke engine cycle. Interactive buttons allow you to step through the various steps of each engine cycle. Each graphic is accompanied by an excellent explanation.
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...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Law Concepts
This site from Georgia State University Department of Physics and Astronomy is an indexing page for the HyperPhysics site. The page links to a variety of other pages which discuss concepts related to entropy and the second law of...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Phase Change Concepts
An indexing page for the HyperPhysics site. This page includes links to a variety of pages at the site which contain information related to phase changes. Each individual page consists of informative graphics and clear explanations.
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
An indexing page for the HyperPhysics site. The page contains a concept map of links to a variety of other pages which discuss concepts related to heat engines. All pages contain informative graphics and excellent explanations.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: What Is a Heat Engine and Why Should You Care?
With an overview of topics related to chemical equilibrium, this site provides a foundation to a study of thermodynamics and heat engines. Other topics covered include the fall of heat, nuclear plants, and more.
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...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Dipping Bird
Get a visual representation of a heat engine by looking at the dipping bird. This activity analyzes the steps of the dipping bird to compare it how a heat engine work.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Blaise Pascal
Find out about the French philosopher and scientist who was one of the greatest and most influential mathematical writers of all time, Blaise Pascal.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Gottlieb Daimler
Find out about Gottlieb Daimler, a pioneer of internal-combustion engines and automobile development.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Internal Combustion Engines
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Explains what an internal combustion engine is, how it works, and how kinetic energy from the engine turns the wheels of a car.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: External Combustion Engines
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Explains what a combustion engine is, its purpose, and how it works.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Pump
Heat flow from a hot region to a cold region is described and explained. Applications of this phenomenon (specifically heat pumps and refrigerators) are discussed. Excellent graphics.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Entropy
This informative site is from Georgia State University. The tendency of nature to move towards a more disordered state in an isolated system, a concept known as entropy, is discussed. This concept is well-depicted in meaningful diagrams.