Sadi Carnot

Sadi Carnot (1796--1832) and the Carnot Engine

In physics Carnot is most famous for his conception of what is now called the Carnot engine. This engine in ideal form is the most efficient heat engine possible given the validity of macrcoscopic thermodynamics.

Carnot, by the way, was the son of the French Revolution leader Lazare Carnot (1753--1823), ``the organizer of victory.'' Of the elder Carnot his friends said, ``Lazare has never lost his head.''

Sites

  1. St. Andrews History Archive biography
Images

  1. Sadi Carnot en uniforme From the St. Andrews History Archive biography: believed to be public domain.