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Carnot’s Theorem and Absolute Temperature

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Part of the book series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science ((BSPS,volume 277))

Abstract

This work W can be positive, zero or negative.

The Carnot cycle s for which W is zero and the Carnot cycles for which W is negative are the subject of two hypotheses, one due to Clausius and the other to Sir W. Thomson.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Last column added by PN.]

  2. 2.

    [(2) in the original.]

  3. 3.

    [In the original, \(\frac{{{W_2}}}{{\left| {{W_2}} \right|}}.\) rather than \(\frac{{{W_1}}}{{\left| {{W_2}} \right|}}\).]

  4. 4.

    [It would seem that in this paragraph Duhem introduces the convention that \({{\mathcal{C}}_2}\) denotes a kind or form of Carnot cycle whereas C2 stands for a particular Carnot cycle of form \({{\mathcal{C}}_2}\). The fact that this convention is not followed in the following paragraphs is perhaps best explained by printing errors in which the two styles of letter are confused, but I have not made any such corrections.—trans.]

  5. 5.

    [Here and at the next occurrence of “third” the original says première (first).]

  6. 6.

    [ϑ in the original.]

  7. 7.

    [cercle, rather than cycle, in the original.]

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Correspondence to Paul Needham .

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Needham, P. (2011). Carnot’s Theorem and Absolute Temperature. In: Needham, P. (eds) Commentary on the Principles of Thermodynamics by Pierre Duhem. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 277. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0311-7_7

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