Reversible/Irreversible Compression/Dilatation

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Luscinia
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SUMMARY

Reversible compression requires less work than irreversible compression, while reversible dilatation demands more work compared to irreversible dilatation. This distinction is crucial in thermodynamics and can be illustrated through practical examples like piston/cylinder systems. The ability to reverse work done by gradually removing weights versus the irreversible impact of a heavy brick highlights the fundamental differences in energy transfer and system behavior.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic principles
  • Familiarity with piston/cylinder systems
  • Basic knowledge of work and energy concepts
  • Ability to interpret mathematical integrals related to work
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of thermodynamic cycles, focusing on reversible and irreversible processes
  • Explore the mathematical formulation of work done in piston/cylinder systems
  • Investigate the implications of energy loss in irreversible processes
  • Review spring/damper systems as analogies for understanding compression and dilatation
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, mechanical engineering, and thermodynamics who seek to deepen their understanding of work in reversible and irreversible processes.

Luscinia
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Help me connect the dots here, please!

It's written in my notes that Reversible Compression have less work involved in comparison to irreversible compression while Reversible Dilatation have more work involved than irreversible dilatation. Why? My notes have the graphs and mathematical (integrals) as explanation, but I'm really having trouble picturing it in my daily life.

I'm also having trouble picturing an irreversible work in a piston/cylinder system. Why is it possible to reverse the work done after adding small weights on a piston by removing said weight one by one while throwing a big brick onto it would result in an irreversible work?
 
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Luscinia said:
Help me connect the dots here, please!

It's written in my notes that Reversible Compression have less work involved in comparison to irreversible compression while Reversible Dilatation have more work involved than irreversible dilatation. Why? My notes have the graphs and mathematical (integrals) as explanation, but I'm really having trouble picturing it in my daily life.

I'm also having trouble picturing an irreversible work in a piston/cylinder system. Why is it possible to reverse the work done after adding small weights on a piston by removing said weight one by one while throwing a big brick onto it would result in an irreversible work?
See my Physics Forums Insights article explaining all this by analogy with spring/damper systems.
 

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