Why are isothermal process values higher than adiabatic ones?

AI Thread Summary
Isothermal process values are higher than adiabatic ones due to the constant temperature maintained in isothermal processes, allowing for heat exchange with the surroundings. In contrast, adiabatic processes are insulated and can only exchange work, leading to a steeper curve in their graphical representation. The isothermal process can draw heat from an external reservoir, which contributes to its higher values. Mathematically, the difference in slopes can be analyzed using the ideal gas equation, where temperature remains constant for isothermal processes while it varies for adiabatic ones. This fundamental difference in energy exchange mechanisms explains the observed behavior of these two thermodynamic processes.
Ana Mido
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
why are isothermal process values higher than adiabatic process ones?
I know that the volume is powered by gama in adiabatic process ones, and this has an effect.
but how can I explain it ?!
http://www.popsolving.com/Thermodynamics/Problem2.4_Freebody.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Science news on Phys.org
Ana Mido said:
why is isothermal process values higher than adiabatic process ones?
What is the defining quality of an isothermal process? What do you need to maintain that quality?
 
  • Like
Likes Ana Mido
Bystander said:
What is the defining quality of an isothermal process? What do you need to maintain that quality?
I want to know why when I draw this relation, the isothermal is above & adiabatic is below. I know this is because of the power "gama"
Are there any other reasons ?
 
Last edited:
You're looking at two expansions, an isothermal, and an adiabatic. What's going on in the isothermal expansion that is not going on in the adiabatic expansion?
 
  • Like
Likes Ana Mido
Bystander said:
You're looking at two expansions, an isothermal, and an adiabatic. What's going on in the isothermal expansion that is not going on in the adiabatic expansion?
ok, sorry I've put the question in wrong meaning.
 
Ana Mido said:
ok
That means you see the difference?
 
Bystander said:
That means you see the difference?
OK, I want to know why is the adiabatic curve steeper than the isothermal one?
 
What do you have to add to the isothermal process to keep it isothermal?
 
Bystander said:
What do you have to add to the isothermal process to keep it isothermal?
I have to make the temperature still constant.
 
  • #10
Ana Mido said:
I have to make the temperature still constant.
Yes. Excellent. And how do you do that?
 
  • #11
Bystander said:
Yes. Excellent. And how do you do that?
I don't know really.
but may be by closing the system or isolating it ? right ?
 
  • #12
Ana Mido said:
or isolating it ? right ?
Wrong. The adiabatic system is closed (no exchange of matter) and insulated, exchanging only work with its surroundings. The isothermal system is closed and not insulated, so it can exchange work and what else with its surroundings?
 
  • #13
Bystander said:
Wrong. The adiabatic system is closed (no exchange of matter) and insulated, exchanging only work with its surroundings. The isothermal system is closed and not insulated, so it can exchange work and what else with its surroundings?
The closed system exchange energy with surroundings & the mass is still constant
 
  • #14
Ana Mido said:
exchange energy
What kind of energy?
 
  • #15
Bystander said:
What kind of energy?
heat or work
 
  • #16
"Or?" Are you certain it's only one or the other?
 
  • #17
Bystander said:
"Or?" Are you certain it's only one or the other?
no, the both
 
  • #18
Okay. Now, compare this to the adiabatic process that can only exchange work with the surroundings.
 
  • #19
Bystander said:
Okay. Now, compare this to the adiabatic process that can only exchange work with the surroundings.
That's right !
In isothermal: Q=W & T is constant , exchange both
In Adiabatic: Q=0 & W=-ΔU , exchange only work
Is that right ?!
 
  • #20
Close enough. The isothermal process picks up extra heat from some external reservoir that maintains the temperature of the working fluid, and that can be converted to work.
 
  • Like
Likes Ana Mido
  • #21
You're right !
Then, how can I prove that Adiabatic curve is more steeper than isothermal curve , using mathematics ?
 
  • #22
You're looking at dP/dT for the two processes, and you want to show that it is more negative for the adiabatic process. From the original problem statement, it appears you can use the ideal gas equation of state. You know that T is constant for the isothermal process, and that T is a function of P, and V for the adiabatic process.
 
Back
Top