Question

Differentiate between Reversible and Irreversible process.

Answer 1

Reversible process:

• A reversible process is a process, involving the system and its environment, in which its direction can be reversed by endless changes in other environments, such as pressure or temperature.

Irreversible process:

• This concept often arises in thermodynamics.
• All the complex processes of nature are irreversible.

Difference between reversible and irreversible process:

Reversible process	Irreversible process
The process that can be reversed in order to obtain the original state of a system are called Reveresible Processes.	Thermodynamic process that can not be reversed to get back the original state of a system is called Irreversible process.
Can be reversed	Cannot be reversed
Changes that occur is infinite in the system	Changes that occur is finite in the system.
There is an equilibrium between the initial and final state of the system	There is no equilibrium in the system
Maximum work is obtained in the process.	The work we get is not maximum.
Almost time taken to complete this reaction is infinity.	Time taken for the completion of the reaction is finite.
Example: String extension	Example: Flow of electricity through resistance