Answer: carried out extremely slowly.
- A carried out extremely slowly
- B completed as fast as possible
- C always adiabatic in nature
- D always done at fixed volume
Correct answer: A. carried out extremely slowly
Explanation: A quasi-static process proceeds infinitely slowly, so the system stays in equilibrium throughout.
The Carnot cycle alternates two isothermal steps (heat absorbed at TH, released at TC) with two adiabatic steps (no heat exchange); the enclosed loop area equals the net work output, and η = 1−TC/TH is the maximum possible efficiency between those two temperatures.
Concept context
Laws of thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy, and gas processes.