Reversible/Irreversible Compression/Dilatation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Luscinia
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
Reversible compression requires less work than irreversible compression, while reversible dilatation demands more work compared to irreversible dilatation. This discrepancy can be understood through the principles of thermodynamics and the mathematical representations in graphs and integrals. In a piston/cylinder system, the work done can be reversed when small weights are added and removed gradually, as this process allows for equilibrium. Conversely, applying a large force suddenly, like dropping a brick, creates irreversible work due to the rapid change in state and energy dissipation. Understanding these concepts can be aided by analogies, such as those found in spring/damper systems.
Luscinia
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 

Thread 'Need help understanding particle physics and quantum physics'

So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
View full post »

Similar threads

Work done by irreversible and reversible processes
Replies
5
Views
2K
I Focus Problem for Entropy Change in Irreversible Adiabatic Process
2
Replies
60
Views
9K
B Solve Feymann's Irreversible Machines Puzzle
Replies
7
Views
4K
How to predict the exit temperature of an air compressor?
Replies
33
Views
3K
Chemistry How to explain the difference between recompression of ideal gas reversibly and irreversibly after initial irreversible expansion?
Replies
5
Views
2K
I About Reversible vs Irreversible Gas Compression and Expansion Work
Replies
4
Views
2K
A Big debate: following process is reversible or not
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Irreversible adiabatic processes & entropy change (clarification needed)
Replies
22
Views
5K
Chemistry A few questions on an irreversible adiabatic expansion of an ideal gas
Replies
1
Views
2K
Irreversible Compression and Expansion
Replies
7
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top