Thermal Physics Lab

Thermal Physics Simulator — Carnot Engine & Entropy

This thermal physics simulator covers four classical thermodynamics scenarios. Carnot mode traces a dot around a P-V diagram through two isothermals and two adiabatics with Carnot efficiency η = 1 − T_C/T_H displayed. Conduction mode shows a horizontal bar with transient temperature gradient and animated heat-flux arrows. Entropy mode plots reversible (ΔS = Q/T) and irreversible (ΔS > Q/T) curves over time illustrating the second law. Maxwell's Demon mode animates fast and slow particles in two chambers with a flickering door, explaining Landauer's principle.

What you can do in this simulation

• Adjust hot reservoir temperature (300–1200 K) and cold reservoir temperature (100–500 K)
• Set thermal conductivity (1–100%) for the conduction mode
• Switch between Carnot Engine, Conduction, Entropy, and Maxwell's Demon modes
• Read Carnot efficiency η from the PV diagram display
• Watch entropy curves diverge as irreversibility increases

Concepts covered

Carnot cycle · thermodynamic efficiency · entropy · second law of thermodynamics · Fourier's law · Landauer's principle

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