alleryStart learning →What is a cyclical process, as used to describe heat engines?
AA process that never repeats itself
BA process returning to its original state
CA process that only occurs at zero K
DA process where entropy always falls
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. A process returning to its original state
1. A cyclical process returns a system to its original state at the end of every cycle.
2. All heat engines are described as using cyclical processes to repeat their operation.
3. Saying the process never repeats is the opposite of a cyclical process.
4. Absolute zero and decreasing entropy are not part of this definition at all.
5. So returning to the original state at the end of each cycle is correct.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 12 "Thermodynamics", section 12.4 Applications of Thermodynamics: Heat Engines, Heat Pumps, and Refrigerators_
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