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It is unlikely that a process can be isothermal unless it

Chapter 15, Problem 15

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QUESTION:

Problem 15CQ

It is unlikely that a process can be isothermal unless it is a very slow process. Explain why. Is the same true for isobaric and isochoric processes? Explain your answer.

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QUESTION:

Problem 15CQ

It is unlikely that a process can be isothermal unless it is a very slow process. Explain why. Is the same true for isobaric and isochoric processes? Explain your answer.

ANSWER:

Solution 15CQ

Step 1 of 3

An isothermal process is one in which the temperature of the system remains a constant.

For this, the system needs to be in equilibrium with the surroundings at every instant of the process.

In contrast, isothermal processes are necessarily slow as they require heat transfer to remain at the same temperature which is done by being in thermal equilibrium with some reservoir. A process will be isothermal only if it happens on timescales larger than the timescale required for effective heat transfer.

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