Complex polyatomic gases and their behavior in the Otto cycle. Analysis of Complex Hydrocarbons

In classical thermodynamics, an ideal internal combustion cycle known as the Otto cycle wasformulated. Its efficiency is closely related to the adiabatic index, γ, which depends on the heatcapacities in an isobaric process and an isochoric process. These capacities depend on thedegrees of freedom of a gas molecule, which describe the three-dimensional motion of amolecule and are grouped into three categories: rotational degrees of freedom, translationaldegrees of freedom and vibrational degrees of freedom. Thus, the efficiency depends heavily onthe type of gas molecule. We will analyze the behavior of efficiency when various complexpolyatomic gases with multiple degrees of freedom are introduced into the cycle. We willanalyze complex hydrocarbons and assume a molecule with an infinite number of atoms.Furthermore, the net mechanical work and net heat of the cycle will be determined, and thehyperbola will be plotted as a function of the adiabatic index. Thus, the influence of the index, γ,will be studied in detail in the Otto cycle, as well as in alkanes in general.