🔍 Key Concepts

• Two-stage air compressor design purpose (why use two stages instead of one) • How compressing air in multiple stages affects temperature and efficiency • The role of cooling the air between stages in reducing work and improving efficiency

💭 Think About

• When air is compressed, what happens to its temperature, and how does that affect the power required and overall efficiency? • If you are trying to make compression more efficient, would you rather keep the air hot or cool it between stages—and why? • Which choice directly relates to the thermodynamic process of multi‑stage compression, rather than just the physical mounting or operating condition?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which option is tied to thermodynamic efficiency rather than mechanical layout or operating habit • Recall that high air temperature during compression increases the work required—what common device is used between stages to manage this? • Eliminate options that would be bad practice in real machinery (for example, anything that obviously reduces reliability or control).