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Reversible Process and Irreversible Process_ Concepts, Videos, Examples

Reversible and irreversible processes

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5 views

Reversible Process and Irreversible Process_ Concepts, Videos, Examples

Reversible and irreversible processes

Uploaded by

Swatantra V
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Home > Physics > Thermodynamics > Reversible and Irreversible Process

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Thermodynamics

Reversible
ASK and Irreversible Process
The reversible process is the ideal process which never occurs,
CONCEPTS
while the irreversible process is the natural process that is
commonly found in nature. When we tear a page from our
notebooks, we cannot change this and ‘un-tear’. This is an
irreversible process. Whereas when water evaporates, it can
also be condensed in the form of rains. This is a reversible
process. Let us study more about them below.

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First Law of Thermodynamics H

Reversible Process
A thermodynamic process is reversible if the process can return
back in such a that both the system and the surroundings return
to their original states, with no other change anywhere else in
the universe. It means both system and surroundings are
returned to their initial states at the end of the reverse process.
In the figure above, the system has undergone a change from
state 1 to state 2. The reversible process can reverse completely
and there is no trace left to show that the system had undergone
thermodynamic change. During the reversible process, all the
changes in state that occur in the system are in thermodynamic
equilibrium with each other.

Browse more Topics under Thermodynamics

Introduction to Thermodynamics

Thermodynamic Processes

First Law of Thermodynamics

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Carnot Engine

Heat Engines and Heat Pumps

Internally reversible process

The process is internally reversible if no irreversibilities occur


within the boundaries of the system. In these processes, a
system undergoes through a series of equilibrium states, and
when the process reverses, the system passes through exactly
the same equilibrium states while returning to its initial state.

Externally reversible process

In externally reversible process no irreversibilities occur


outside the system boundaries during the process. Heat transfer
between a reservoir and a system is an externally reversible
process if the surface of contact between the system and
reservoir is at the same temperature.

A process can be reversible only when its satisfying two conditions

Dissipative force must be absent.

The process should occur in infinite small time.

Source Wikipedia

In simple words, the process which can reverse back completely


is a reversible process. This means that the final properties of
the system can perfectly reverse back to the original properties.
The process can be perfectly reversible only if the changes in
the process are infinitesimally small. In practical situations it is
not possible to trace these extremely small changes in extremely
small time, hence the reversible process is also an ideal process.
The changes that occur during the reversible process are in
equilibrium with each other.

Irreversible Process
Irreversible processes are a result of straying away from the
curve, therefore decreasing the amount of overall work done.
An irreversible process is a thermodynamic process that departs
from equilibrium. In terms of pressure and volume, it occurs
when the pressure (or the volume) of a system changes
dramatically and instantaneously that the volume (or the
pressure) do not have the time to reach equilibrium.

Source Wikipedia

A classic example of an irreversible process is allowing a certain


volume of gas to release into a vacuum. By releasing pressure
on a sample and allowing it to occupy a large space, the system
and surroundings are not in equilibrium during the expansion
process.

Here little work occurs. However, there is a requirement of


significant work, with a corresponding amount of energy
dissipation as heat flows to the environment. This is in order to
reverse the process.
Question For You
Q. In which of the following process the system and
surrounding do not come back to original state after the process
is complete?

a. Reversible process b. Adiabatic process

c. Quasi-static process d. Spontaneous process

Sol: d. Spontaneous process

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