Reversible process

Definition

A reversible process is a theoretical concept in which a system undergoes changes in such a way that the system and its surroundings can be restored to their original states without any net change. This process occurs infinitely slowly, ensuring that the system remains in thermodynamic equilibrium at all times.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reversible processes are idealized and do not occur in reality; they serve as a benchmark for the maximum efficiency of real processes.
2. During a reversible process, the entropy of the universe remains constant because no entropy is generated.
3. For a process to be reversible, it must proceed infinitely slowly to maintain equilibrium at each stage.
4. In practice, most natural processes are irreversible due to factors like friction, unrestrained expansion, and rapid compression or expansion.
5. Understanding reversible processes helps in deriving important thermodynamic equations such as those for calculating work done and heat transfer.

Review Questions

• Why are reversible processes considered idealized?
• How does entropy behave during a reversible process?
• What conditions must be met for a process to be considered reversible?

Related terms

Entropy: A measure of the disorder or randomness of a system; it increases with irreversible processes and remains constant during reversible processes.

Thermodynamic Equilibrium: A state in which all macroscopic flows are absent, and properties like pressure, temperature, and chemical potential are uniform throughout the system.

Irreversible Process: A real-world process that cannot return both the system and surroundings to their original states due to factors like friction, turbulence, or rapid changes.