Cyclic processes in thermodynamics can be plotted as a closed loop in a p-V diagram. The area enclosed by the curve corresponds to the mechanical work taken from the system. Alternatively, the mechanical power associated with a complete cycle can be determined and then the mechanical work can be calculated from that by means of an integration over time. This will be investigated in the course of an experiment using a Stirling engine.
![Experiment: Stirling Engine G (230 V, 50/60 Hz), 8000597 [UE2060250-230], Thermodynamic cycles](/imagelibrary/UE2060250-230/UE2060250-230_01_Experiment-Stirling-Engine-G-230-V-5060-Hz.jpg)
![Experiment: Stirling Engine G (230 V, 50/60 Hz), 8000597 [UE2060250-230], Thermodynamic cycles](/thumblibrary/UE2060250-230/UE2060250-230_01_1200_1200_Experiment-Stirling-Engine-G-230-V-5060-Hz.jpg)
![Experiment: Thermal expansion of solid bodies (230 V, 50/60 Hz), 8000577 [UE2010130-230], Thermal expansion](/thumblibrary/UE2010130-230/UE2010130-230_01_140_140_Experiment-Thermal-expansion-of-solid-bodies-230-V-5060-Hz.jpg)
![Pair of Safety Experiment Leads, 75 cm, blue, red, 1017718 [U13816], Experiment Leads and Cables](/thumblibrary/U13816/U13816_01_140_140_Pair-of-Safety-Experiment-Leads-75-cm-blue-red.jpg)
![DC Power Supply 20 V, 5 A (230 V, 50/60 Hz), 1003312 [U33020-230], Power Supplies](/thumblibrary/U33020-230/U33020-230_01_140_140_DC-Power-Supply-20-V-5-A-230-V-5060-Hz.jpg)
![Sensor Cable, 1021514 [UCMA-BTsc1], Additional Accessories for Computer-aided Experimentation](/thumblibrary/UCMA-BTsc1/UCMA-BTsc1_01_140_140_Sensor-Cable.jpg)
![Stirling Engine G, 1002594 [U10050], Cyclic Processes](/thumblibrary/U10050/U10050_01_140_140_Stirling-Engine-G.jpg)
![Sensor Holder for Stirling Engine G, 1008500 [U11372], Cyclic Processes](/thumblibrary/U11372/U11372_01_140_140_Sensor-Holder-for-Stirling-Engine-G.jpg)
![Relative Pressure Sensor FW ±1000 hPa, 1021533 [U8557860], Sensors for Physics](/thumblibrary/U8557860/U8557860_01_140_140_Relative-Pressure-Sensor-FW-1000-hPa.jpg)
![Displacement Sensor FW, 1021534 [U8557870], Sensors for Physics](/thumblibrary/U8557870/U8557870_01_140_140_Displacement-Sensor-FW.jpg)
![Tripod Stand 150 mm, 1002835 [U13270], Bases](/thumblibrary/U13270/U13270_01_140_140_Tripod-Stand-150-mm.jpg)
![K-Type NiCr-Ni Immersion Sensor, -65°C – 550°C, 1002804 [U11854], Thermometers](/thumblibrary/U11854/U11854_01_140_140_K-Type-NiCr-Ni-Immersion-Sensor-65-C-550-C.jpg)
![Tubing, Silicone 6 mm, 1002622 [U10146], Tubing](/thumblibrary/U10146/U10146_01_140_140_Tubing-Silicone-6-mm.jpg)
![Digital Multimeter P1035, 1002781 [U11806], Hand-held Digital Measuring Instruments](/thumblibrary/U11806/U11806_01_140_140_Digital-Multimeter-P1035.jpg)
![Set of 10 Beakers,600 ml, Low Form, 1002872 [U14210], Glassware](/thumblibrary/U14210/U14210_01_140_140_Set-of-10-Beakers-600-ml-Low-Form.jpg)
![Stainless Steel Rod 250 mm, 1002933 [U15001], Rods](/thumblibrary/U15001/U15001_01_140_140_Stainless-Steel-Rod-250-mm.jpg)
![Boyle-Mariotte Apparatus, 1017366 [U172101], Gas Laws](/thumblibrary/U172101/U172101_01_140_140_Boyle-Mariotte-Apparatus.jpg)
![Experiment: Boyle’s Law, 8000589 [UE2040100], Gas laws](/thumblibrary/UE2040100/UE2040100_01_140_140_Experiment-Boyle-s-Law.jpg)
![Universal Clamp, 1002830 [U13255], Clamps](/thumblibrary/U13255/U13255_01_140_140_Universal-Clamp.jpg)
![Set of 15 Safety Experiment Leads, 75 cm, 1002843 [U138021], Circuits](/thumblibrary/U138021/U138021_01_140_140_Set-of-15-Safety-Experiment-Leads-75-cm.jpg)
![Gauge with Adapter, 1012862 [U8442250], Thermal Expansion](/thumblibrary/U8442250/U8442250_01_140_140_Gauge-with-Adapter.jpg)