Undergrad Reversible Process: Why is it Important?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the significance of reversible and quasistatic processes in thermodynamics. A reversible process is defined as one that passes through a continuous sequence of thermodynamic equilibrium states, ensuring no energy is lost as heat. Understanding these processes is crucial for quantifying thermodynamic behavior, as outlined by the second law of thermodynamics. The ability to maintain thermodynamic equilibrium allows for precise measurement of system parameters, which is essential in various scientific and engineering applications.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic equilibrium
  • Familiarity with the second law of thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of reversible and irreversible processes
  • Basic principles of energy transfer in closed systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical formulations of the second law of thermodynamics
  • Explore the concept of thermodynamic equilibrium in detail
  • Learn about the implications of irreversible processes in real-world applications
  • Investigate the role of quasistatic processes in engineering systems
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, engineering, and thermodynamics who seek to deepen their understanding of energy transfer and system behavior in thermodynamic processes.

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Does this mean that in reversible process\ quasistatic process, the energy is not lost as heat and the process in which the energy is not lost as heat is known as reversible process\quasistatic process?

I want to know why we want to have reversible \ quasistatic process.
 

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Look at the sentence after the highlighted one.
 
mjc123 said:
Look at the sentence after the highlighted one.
I did that.
Yet,I have not understood why we want reversible process\quasistatic process?
Is it because in quasistatic process, the system remains in thermodynamic eqbm. and so the parameters defining the system are well defined and can be measured?
 
The second law of thermodynamics quantifies the kinds of processes that can and can't occur spontaneously. In order to provide this quantification (mathematically), we must first understand reversible and irreversible processes, and their definitions. If a closed system experiences a reversible process, it passes through a continuous sequence of thermodynamic equilibrium states. This can be used as the definition of an internally reversible process. Any process that does not satisfy this definition for the system is irreversible.
 
I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...

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