In thermodynamics, an isobaric process is a type of thermodynamic process in which
the pressure of the system stays constant: ΔP = 0. The heat transferred to the system does work,
but also changes the internal energy (U) of the system. This article uses the physics sign convention
for work, where positive work is work done by the system. Using this convention, by the first law of
thermodynamics,
The yellow area represents the work done
where W is work, U is internal energy, and Q is heat.[1] Pressure-volume work by the closed
system is defined as:
where Δ means change over the whole process, whereas d denotes a differential. Since
pressure is constant, this means that
.
Applying the ideal gas law, this becomes
with R representing the gas constant, and n representing the amount of substance,
which is assumed to remain constant (e.g., there is no phase transition during
a chemical reaction). According to the equipartition theorem,[2] the change in internal
energy is related to the temperature of the system by
,
where cV, m is molar heat capacity at a constant volume.
Substituting the last two equations into the first equation produces:
where cP is molar heat capacity at a constant pressure.
Specific heat capacity[edit]
To find the molar specific heat capacity of the gas involved, the following
equations apply for any general gas that is calorically perfect. The
property γ is either called the adiabatic index or the heat capacity ratio.
Some published sources might use k instead of γ.
Molar isochoric specific heat:
.
Molar isobaric specific heat:
.
The values for γ are γ = 7/5 for diatomic gases like air and its major
components, and γ = 5/3 for monatomic gases like the noble gases.
The formulas for specific heats would reduce in these special
cases:
Monatomic:
and
Diatomic:
and
An isobaric process is shown on a P–V diagram as a
straight horizontal line, connecting the initial and
final thermostatic states. If the process moves towards the
right, then it is an expansion. If the process moves towards
the left, then it is a compression.
Sign convention for work[edit]
The motivation for the specific sign
conventions of thermodynamics comes from early
development of heat engines. When designing a heat
engine, the goal is to have the system produce and deliver
work output. The source of energy in a heat engine, is a
heat input.
If the volume compresses (ΔV = final volume − initial
volume < 0), then W < 0. That is, during
isobaric compression the gas does negative work, or
the environment does positive work. Restated, the
environment does positive work on the gas.
If the volume expands (ΔV = final volume − initial
volume > 0), then W > 0. That is, during
isobaric expansion the gas does positive work, or
equivalently, the environment does negative work.
Restated, the gas does positive work on the
environment.
If heat is added to the system, then Q > 0. That is,
during isobaric expansion/heating, positive heat is
added to the gas, or equivalently, the environment
receives negative heat. Restated, the gas receives
positive heat from the environment.
If the system rejects heat, then Q < 0. That is, during
isobaric compression/cooling, negative heat is added
to the gas, or equivalently, the environment receives
positive heat. Restated, the environment receives
positive heat from the gas.
