Isothermal and Adiabatic process

 Isothermal and adiabatic Process

Introduction

Among the various types of thermodynamic processes, there are two very important ones which are the adiabatic and isothermal processes. An adiabatic process is one of thermodynamic process in which there is no transfer of heat. In simple, the body is in adiabatic isolation. An isothermal process is a thermodynamic change where the temperature of the body does not change through the process.

It is possible to keep temperature constant only when we allow the heat energy to get ejected or vice versa. It happens when the system is perfectly conducting to the surroundings. The process has to be performed in very slow manner. We should give enough time for heat absorption and ejection at constant temperature. (Isha,2015) 

           Fig.1 Isothermal and adiabatic process (Byju's,2022)

Examples of Isothermal Process

1. Refrigerator: A refrigerator works isothermally. A set of changes take place in the mechanism of a refrigerator but the temperature inside remains constant. Here, the heat energy is removed and transmitted to the surrounding environment.

2. The Carnot engine is one of the industrial applications of the isothermal process that comes to mind. Some cycles in this engine are carried out isothermally, while others are carried out adiabatically. To show this graphically,

Difference Between Isothermal and Adiabatic Process

An isothermal process is a process which occurs at constant temperature but other parameters of the system changes accordingly. But in adiabatic process, temperature is varied to maintain the heat constant. The main difference is that the isothermal process takes place at constant temperature while adiabatic process takes place under varying temperature. The work done in isothermal process is because of change in net heat content of the system. In the other hand, the work done in adiabatic process is due to chance in internal energy of the system.

Graphical representation of Isothermal, adiabatic : Carnot cycle

       fig.2 Carnot cycle (Gautam,2022)

This graph represents complete about Isothermal and adiabatic process which takes place continuously in Carnot cycle, where process of isothermal expansion, adiabatic expansion, isothermal compression and adiabatic compression takes place.

Conclusion

In conclusion, isothermal and adiabatic processes are two fundamental thermodynamics concepts that describe the behavior of the system undergoing changes. Isothermal process maintain a constant temperature and involve heat transfer between the system and the surrounding while adiabatic process do not involve heat transfer and rely merely on work done by or on the system.

 Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-c54Wi1M78

References

Byju's. (2022, june). Isothermal and adiabatic process. Retrieved from byjus.com: https://byjus.com/physics/difference-between-isothermal-and-adiabatic-process/

Gautam. (2023, may 16). Carnot engine. Retrieved from www.actuateminds.com: https://www.actuateminds.com/blog/physics/carnot-engine/

Isha. (2015, January 17). Isothermal and adiabatic process. Retrieved from Isothermal Process and Applications: https://www.venkatsacademy.com/2015/01/isothermal-process-and-applications.html

Nazé, P. (2022). Adiabatic processes like isothermal processes. arXiv preprint arXiv:2210.16116.