Adiabatic

Definition

An adiabatic process is a thermodynamic process in which no heat is exchanged with the surroundings. The system's temperature can change, but all energy transfer occurs as work.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In an adiabatic process, $Q = 0$, where $Q$ represents heat transfer.
2. Adiabatic processes are often idealized and occur very rapidly or within perfectly insulated systems.
3. For an adiabatic compression or expansion of an ideal gas, the relationship between pressure and volume follows $PV^\gamma = \text{constant}$, where $\gamma$ is the heat capacity ratio ($C_p/C_v$).
4. The first law of thermodynamics for an adiabatic process simplifies to $\Delta U = W$, where $\Delta U$ is the change in internal energy and $W$ is work done by or on the system.
5. Real-life examples of nearly adiabatic processes include atmospheric phenomena like the rapid ascent or descent of air parcels.

Related terms

Isothermal Process:

A thermodynamic process in which the temperature remains constant, meaning any heat added to the system does work or vice versa.

Heat Capacity Ratio: $\gamma$ (gamma), also known as the adiabatic index, is the ratio of specific heat at constant pressure ($C_p$) to specific heat at constant volume ($C_v$).

Internal Energy:

The total energy contained within a thermodynamic system due to both kinetic and potential energies of its particles.