Do I need to install anything?

No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.

For Educators · Compressor Map

Compressor Map for a net-zero home

Built for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs. Simulate a net-zero home live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Otto Cycle

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Otto Cycle (Engine)Live

gasoline engine efficiency

Controls

Presets

Compression ratio

Heat capacity ratio γ

The Otto cycle idealizes a gasoline engine: adiabatic compression, constant-volume combustion, adiabatic expansion (the power stroke), and exhaust. Its efficiency, η = 1 − 1/r^(γ−1), depends only on the compression ratio. Higher compression means more efficiency — until the fuel pre-ignites and knocks, which is why octane rating matters.

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Data Inspector

Efficiency58.5%

Compression ratio9:1

γ1.40

Governing equation

η = 1 - \frac{1}{r ^{γ - 1}} = 1 - \frac{1}{9 ^{1.40 - 1}} = 58.5%

Reading this result: Efficiency (58%) depends only on the 9:1 compression ratio and γ, not on how much fuel you burn — adding heat gives more power at the same efficiency ceiling.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

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Carnot Cycle

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Carnot CycleLive

the ideal heat engine

Controls

Presets

Hot reservoir Tₕ (K)

Cold reservoir Tc (K)

Expansion ratio

The Carnot cycle — two isothermal and two adiabatic steps — is the most efficient possible heat engine between two temperatures. Its efficiency depends only on the reservoir temperatures: η = 1 − Tc/Th. No real engine can beat it, which is why raising the hot temperature or lowering the cold one is the only path to higher efficiency.

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Data Inspector

Efficiency50.0%

Tₕ / Tc2.00

Carnot limit50.0%

Governing equation

η = 1 - \frac{T _{c}}{T _{h}} = 1 - \frac{300}{600} = 0.500

Reading this result: Efficiency here is 50.0% and is fixed by the temperature ratio alone — widening the expansion ratio enlarges the enclosed work loop but can never push past the 50.0% Carnot ceiling, and each kelvin removed from the cold side buys a bit more than each kelvin added to the hot side.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

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Also for:Students Researchers Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders General version →

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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for educators?: Yes — this version of "Compressor Map for a net-zero home" is framed for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.