Engine Thermo Lab for a cooling load
Built for students learning it for a class or exam. See the concept move instead of memorizing formulas — and check your homework intuition. Simulate a cooling load live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Controls
Presets
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.
Data Inspector
Governing equation
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
Controls
Presets
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.
Data Inspector
Governing equation
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
More with Engine Thermo Lab
Frequently asked questions
- Is this good for students?
- Yes — this version of "Engine Thermo Lab for a cooling load" is framed for students learning it for a class or exam. See the concept move instead of memorizing formulas — and check your homework intuition.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.