Virtual University of Pakistan

Student ID: bc180200878 Name: Syeda Batool Fatima

Course: Physical Chemistry Course Code: CHE201
rd
Bs. Biotechnology 3 Semester, Spring 2019
Assignment # 1

Question: Define, give examples and differentiate between reversible and irreversible
process of thermodynamics.

Thermodynamics:

Introduction:

The word ‘Thermodynamic’ is derived from two Greek words Thermo and dynamics.
Thermo means ‘heat’ and dynamics means ‘power’. It is concerned with energy (particularly
enthalpy), power, work and temperature. It basically covers the macroscopic characteristics of
chemical systems under consideration. It is mainly related to the relationship of temperature with
other properties of the system. Such systems may either be in equilibrium or not.

Thermodynamic process:

Whenever a process takes place the any of the properties like enthalpy temperature volume etc
tend to change. In this regards 2nd law of thermodynamics classify such processes.

2nd law of thermodynamics:

 According to Clausius: A device can’t operate in cycle and is able to transfer heat energy
from cooler body to hotter body without doing any work on itself.
 According to Kelvin-Planck: A device can’t operate in cycle and is able to convert all the
heat energy into mechanical work

Difference between Reversible and Irreversible Processes

Definitions:

Reversible Process Irreversible Process

A process in which a system as well as
surroundings if change from initial state to
another state and are able to regain initial
state at the end following the one and only one
path
A process in which system as well as
surroundings don’t regain their original state
at the end or don’t follow the same path.

State 1 State 2

Same Path

Reversible Process
Following processes are somehow reversible
 Expansion and compression of a spring
 Frictionless motion
 Electrolysis
Conditions:
Reversible Process
 It can’t be approached but if we carry
out the process much steadily
 The slope or gradient between two
variables must be minute
 So it should take place in infinite
intervals and hence in infinitely small
time period
 The final and initial states must be in
equilibrium with one another
Overview
Reversible Process
 System reverses in such a manner that
there is no trace left that either it has
undergone a change in any
thermodynamic property or not.
 They can yield maximum amount of
work, because of the interference of
some internal thermodynamic property
along with the external work
 Such processes are IDEAL
 Less turbulence and heat content
remains constant (adiabatic)
Examples
Irreversible Process
 Diffusion
 Chemical reactions
 Elasticity free deformation
 Combustion of wood
It means energy dissipation, disorderness
(entropy), friction and mixing are factors of
irreversibility.
Irreversible Process
 It can’t be reversed
 So as the time passes the one particular
property say heat doesn’t remains in its
original state
 The heat transfer occurs in a finite
manner across finite temperatures
 Therefore two states are not in
equilibrium with each other
Irreversible Process
 Most of the processes occurring in the
universe are irreversible since neither
100% efficiency can be obtained
anywhere nor we can have any system
without friction or resistance or work.
 There is some irreversible work done
since one particular property operates
externally or internally
 During the process the entropy of the
system increase and it can’t be lessened
back into original because of turbulence
 Types
Reversible Process
 Internal Reversibility: If there is no
disturbances within the system’s
boundaries and there may be stages of
equilibrium within the system, so when
the states reverse, the system follows
the same equilibrium states
 External Reversibility: If there is
nothing irreversible outside the system
i.e., surroundings during the process.
For example heat transfer from heat
basin and the system and both of them
are in contact with each other and their
surfaces have same temperature
Irreversible Process
 Internal Irreversibility: Processes in
which dispersal of energy takes place
within the system due to some internal
factor. For example, free extension,
viscosity and inertia of gases
 External Reversibility: Processes in
which dispersal of energy takes place
outside the system due to some external
factor. For example, Accelerating car
faces hindrance while moving because
of the friction of the road.