Question

what do you mean by thermodynamic process and in what way reversible process differ from irreversible process

Answer 1

Thermodynamic process is the process which involves change in heat. There are various defined thermodynamic processes.eg. Isothermal process, adiabatic process,isobaric process etc..

Reversible Process: The process in which the system and surrounding can be restored to initial states from final state and system remains almost in a state of equilibrium with the surrounding at every stage of process is known as reversible process. For a process to be reversible, change must be carried out infinitesimally slowly. In reversible process, driving force and opposing forces are nearly same.

Irreversible Process: The processis said to be an irreversible if it cannot return the system and the surroundings to their original conditions when the process is reversed. Irreversible process is carried out rapidly. And if we try to change the external conditions, equilibrium between system and surrounding gets disturbed. In irreversible process, driving force and opposing force differ with a large extent