Question

Which of the following is a necessary condition for a process to be reversible?

• A. The substance undergoing a reversible change must at all instances be in thermodynamic equilibrium with its surroundings.
• B. All the processes taking place in the cycle of operation must be infinitely slow.
• C. There should not be any loss of energy due to conduction, convection or radiation during the cycle of operation.
• D. All of the above.

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above.

Conditions for Reversibility :

1. The substance undergoing a reversible change must at all instances be in thermodynamic equilibrium with its surroundings. It means the pressure and temperatures of the working substance must never differ appreciably from its surroundings at any stage of the cycle of operation.

2. All the processes taking place in the cycle of operation must be infinitely slow.

3. There should be a complete absence of frictional forces.

4. There should not be any loss of energy due to conduction, convection or radiation during the cycle of operation.