What is reversible isothermal expansion? Give an example.
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Solution
Reversible isothermal expansion:
Reversible isothermal expansion is a process where there is a rise in volume at a constant temperature.
The operation is performed indefinitely slowly in theory, such that the microscopic reversal from the final state regenerates the original state exactly.
The expression for reversible isothermal expansion is shown below:
From the first law of thermodynamics, , where is the change in energy, is the amount of heat and is the amount of work done.
As the temperature is constant. Thus,
Now, , where is the heat flow, is the pressure ,and is the volume.
Example of isothermal expansion:
Many isothermal processes are being carried out in making blasting agents as well as rocket propellants.