The study of the relation between work, heat, temperature and energy is known as thermodynamics. In thermodynamics (the branch of physics), an isothermal process can be defined as a thermodynamic process in which the whole system’s temperature, ‘T’, always remains constant. That is, ‘ΔT = 0’. The heat gets transferred into or out of the system; this process occurs very gradually to maintain the thermal equilibrium of that system.
Boyle’s Law
In physics, Boyle’s law can be stated as in isothermal conditions, a gas’s volume ‘V’ at a constant temperature varies inversely with the pressure ‘P’ exerted on it.
Boyle’s law can be represented mathematically,
PV = k
Where, k is the proportionality constant.
Read More: Isothermal Process
Important Questions with Answers
1. Distinguish between the isothermal process and the adiabatic process.
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The isothermal process is the process that occurs under constant temperature, but with additional parameters, such as pressure and volume, etc., the system’s temperature can vary according to that. |
The adiabatic process keeps the heat constant to change the system’s temperature, but no heat exchange happens between the system and its related surroundings. |
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The isothermal process happens under constant temperature. |
The adiabatic process happens under varying temperatures. |
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The transformation occurs slowly in this process. |
The transformation in this process is fast. |
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At a given volume, the pressure is more, as followed by the ideal gas equation. |
At a given volume, the pressure is less. |
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In an isothermal process, the work done is due to the change in the net content of the system. |
The work done in an adiabatic process is due to the variation in its internal energy. |
2. State and explain Boyle’s law.
Statement – Boyle’s law states that the product of pressure ‘P’ and the volume ‘V’ for an ideal gas is constant under isothermal conditions.
Boyle’s law can be represented mathematically,
PV = k
Where,
k is the proportionality constant.
3. How do humans breathe and exhale? Explain by using Boyle’s law.
According to Boyle’s law, the volume and pressure are always inversely proportional at the given constant temperature of the gas. As our lungs expand, the volume inside them increases and pressure decreases, which follows Boyle’s law. As the pressure drops inside the lungs due to the atmospheric pressure, the air starts to move inside the lungs from the outside, filling it with air.
4. Who invented Boyle’s law?
Boyle’s law was propounded by the famous chemist and physicist Robert Boyle in 1662. This law is often termed Boyle-marionette law or Marriott law because, in 1679, french physicist Edme Marriott independently discovered the same laws.
5. What is an adiabatic process?
In contrast to the isothermal process, there is one more phenomenon. No heat exchange exists between any system and its related surroundings. This phenomenon is known as the adiabatic process: to keep the heat constant to change the system’s temperature.
6. Through the process of evaporation and melting, the state or phase of different liquids changes. This is an example of the ___________.
- Adiabatic process
- Isothermal process
- Isobaric process
- Isochoric process
Answer: b. Isothermal process
Explanation: An isothermal process happens in systems by regulating the temperature. The changes in the state in the system of different liquids through evaporation and melting are examples of an isothermal process.
7. What is the application of an isothermal process?
An isothermal process helps the biologist study the regularisation of temperature in all living organisms. It is also helpful in space science, geology, planetary science and in so many other branches of science.
8. What is the isothermal process formula?
The basic formula for the isothermal process formula for two different states is,
P1 V1 = P2 V2
Where,
P1 = Pressure of an isothermal process of the first state
P2 = Pressure of an isothermal process of the second state
V1 = Volume of an isothermal process of the first state
V2 = Volume of an isothermal process of the second state
9. Provide some examples of isothermal processes.
The following are some examples of isothermal processes.
- Isothermal processes contain different states of different liquids due to melting and evaporation.
- The Carnot engine is an example of an industrial application of the isothermal process.
- An isothermal process underlies the process of a refrigerator. The thermal energy is extracted and transferred to the surrounding environment. The mechanism of a refrigerator experiences a sequence of adjustments, although the temperature inside stays constant.
- The heat pump is another example of an isothermal process. The heat is removed from the house and thrown outside or brought in from outside to warm the home. The objective in each case is to maintain the home at the selected temperature.
10. Why is the isothermal process so slow?
The isothermal process is too slow because it needs heat transfer to keep a constant temperature, which is accomplished by being in thermal equilibrium with some reservoir. The process occurs only on timescales more significant than the timescale needed for effective heat transfer.
Practice Questions
- What are the two conditions for the isothermal process?
- Does isothermal change pressure?
- What is the specific heat of gas in the isothermal process?
- Why is internal energy constant in the isothermal process?
- Why is internal energy only dependent on temperature?
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Related Links |
To learn more about the ‘Adiabatic Process’ watch the video below.
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