Which of the following processes is irreversible? (2022)
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following processes is irreversible? (2022)
Isothermal expansion
Adiabatic expansion
Free expansion
Isobaric process
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following processes is irreversible? (2022)
Step 1: Understand what an irreversible process is. An irreversible process is one that cannot be reversed to return to its original state without external influence.
Step 2: Identify the process in question. In this case, we are looking at 'free expansion' of a gas.
Step 3: Recognize that free expansion occurs when a gas expands into a vacuum without any external pressure acting on it.
Step 4: Note that during free expansion, the gas does not do work on the surroundings and there is no energy transfer involved.
Step 5: Conclude that since free expansion cannot be reversed without external work, it is classified as an irreversible process.
