The discussion centers around the nature of temperature in a polytropic thermodynamic process, specifically questioning whether temperature remains constant. Participants explore the implications of the polytropic equation pv^n=c and its derivation, while considering the characteristics of different thermodynamic processes such as isothermal and adiabatic.
Participants express uncertainty regarding the constancy of temperature in polytropic processes, with no consensus reached on the implications of the equation or its derivation.
Limitations include the lack of a clear derivation for the polytropic equation and the dependence on specific definitions of thermodynamic processes. The discussion also highlights the need for further exploration of the conditions under which the polytropic relationship holds.
People noted that, for an isothermal process, n=1 and for an adiabatic process, n=γ. So they figured that, if the temperature is controlled properly, there can be other processes which satisfy a p-v equation of the specified mathematical form. They coined the term "polytropic" to refer to such processes.jaredokie said:But how did they come up with the equation pV^n=c?
I can find any derivation for that equation. I'm trying to understand how the equation was formed.