- #1
Willa
- 23
- 0
why is it acceptable to assume any heat exchanged with the surroundings of a system is a reversible heat exchange? The only explanation I can find is that it's because the surroundings are essentially unchanged by the heat they absorb...but I don't understand that as an explanation.
I take the example of a hot cup of water in cool surroundings...surely the heat transferred to the surroundings is not reversible...it won't suddenly go back into the cup will it!? so why do they say it's ok to say it is a reversible heat exchange?
I take the example of a hot cup of water in cool surroundings...surely the heat transferred to the surroundings is not reversible...it won't suddenly go back into the cup will it!? so why do they say it's ok to say it is a reversible heat exchange?