Carnot Engine

Stage 1: Heat enters from hot sink. The heat is used to do work in expanding the gas. This is an
isothermal process.
Stage 2: Gas continues to expand but now it uses its own internal energy in doing so. The temperature
drops. This is an adiabatic process.
Stage 3: Now that the gas has significantly expanded, it begins to contract. This releases heat which is
removed by the cold sink. The temperature remains constant. This is an isothermal process.
Stage 4: Gas continues to contract by raising its own internal energy. This raises the temperature of the
gas (instead of as heat that flows into the environment). This is an adiabatic process.