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Chapter 18: Problem 7

A quasi-static process begins and ends at the same temperature. Is the process necessarily isothermal?

Short Answer

Expert verified
No, a quasi-static process that starts and ends at the same temperature is not necessarily isothermal. There could be fluctuations in temperature throughout the process.

Step by step solution

01

Define a Quasi-Static Process

A quasi-static process is a thermodynamic process that happens infinitely slowly, so that the system is in equilibrium at each step. A process that happens slowly enough for the system to remain in equilibrium throughout is considered quasi-static.
02

Define an Isothermal Process

An isothermal process is a thermodynamic process which occurs at a constant temperature. This means that the temperature of the system remains unchanged throughout the process.
03

Analyze the Relationship between the Definitions and the Question Posed

From the definitions, we understand that any process - whether it's quasi-static or not - that occurs at a constant temperature is considered isothermal. Just because a process starts and stops at the same temperature, doesn't make it isothermal. The temperature must remain constant throughout the entire process. Thus, a quasi-static process isn't necessarily isothermal even if it begins and ends at the same temperature. The temperature might have varied during the process, in which case the process wouldn't be considered isothermal.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

It takes \(600 \mathrm{J}\) to compress a gas isothermally to half its original volume. How much work would it take to compress it by a factor of 10 starting from its original volume?

In a closed but uninsulated container, \(500 \mathrm{g}\) of water are shaken violently until the temperature rises by \(3.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). The mechanical work required in the process is \(9.0 \mathrm{kJ}\). (a) How much heat is transferred during the shaking? (b) How much mechanical energy would have been required if the container had been perfectly insulated?

A gas mixture contains monatomic argon and diatomic oxygen. An adiabatic expansion that doubles its volume results in the pressure dropping to one- third of its original value. What fraction of the molecules are argon?

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What should be the approximate specific-heat ratio of a gas consisting of \(50 \% \mathrm{NO}_{2}(\gamma=1.29), 30 \% \mathrm{O}_{2}(\gamma=1.40),\) and \(20 \%\) \(\operatorname{Ar}(\gamma=1.67) ?\)
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