What's the difference between isothermal and adiabatic processes?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter AxiomOfChoice
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Adiabatic Isothermal
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the differences between isothermal and adiabatic processes in thermodynamics, exploring definitions and implications of each type of transformation. Participants examine the relationships between internal energy, work, and heat exchange in these processes.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that isothermal processes imply no net change in internal energy (\Delta U = 0) and relates this to the equation W = -\Delta Q.
  • Another participant notes that adiabatic processes involve no heat exchange with the surroundings, indicating that internal energy can change as work is done on or by the system.
  • A participant requests definitions to clarify the concepts further.
  • Links to external definitions and explanations are provided for verification of claims made in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the definitions and implications of isothermal and adiabatic processes, with differing interpretations of internal energy changes and work involved.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the definitions of internal energy, work, and heat transfer may not be explicitly stated, leading to potential misunderstandings. The discussion relies on external sources for definitions, which may introduce additional context or variations in interpretation.

AxiomOfChoice
Messages
531
Reaction score
1
What's the difference?
 
Science news on Phys.org
What are definitions?
 
Well, from what I can tell, saying a transformation of a system is isothermal indicates no net change in the internal energy of the system, implying [itex]\Delta U = 0[/itex], implying [itex]W = -\Delta Q[/itex]. Adiabatic changes only entail no heat being added or subtracted to or from the system. So there isn't necessarily a zero change in U, since the system can do work, or have work done on it.

Is everything I've said right?
 

Similar threads

Graduate Reversible processes need to be ONLY isothermal or adiabatic?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Graphical difference between adiabatic and isothermal processes.
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
High School Adiabatic processes and temperatures
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Efficiency of cycles bounded by two isotherms
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
High School Comparing energy released to the energy needed to compress a gas (game design scenario)
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School Change in entropy of reversible isothermal process
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
High School Understanding Laplace's Correction and the Adiabatic Process
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Graduate Isothermal and adiabatic air compression -- different expressions
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Undergrad Difference between Isothermal and Adiabatic?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Graduate Particle Velocity and adiabatic/isothermal propagation
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K