Isothermal Process

When athermodynamic system undergocs a physical change

constant, then the
in such a way that its temperature remains
change is known as isothermal change.
In this process, Pand V change but T = constant, i.c., change
in temperature AT= 0
1. Essential condition for isothermal process:

Conducting
walls
Gas

Fig. 2.41

i. The walls of the container must be perfectly conducting

to allow free exchange of heat between the gas and its
surrounding.
ii. The process of compression or expansion should be
so slow so as to provide time for the exchange of heat.
Since these two conditions are not fully realized in
practice, no process is perfectly isothermal.
2. Equation of state: From ideal gas equation PV = uRT,
we observe that if temperature remains constant, then
PV = constant, i.e., in all isothermal process Boyle's law
is obeyed.
Hence, equation of state is PV = constant.
3. Example of isothermal process:
i. Melting process (ice melts at constant temperature 0°C)
i. Boiling process (water boils at constant temperature
100°C)
4. Indicator diagram:

P P

T, <T,<T,
T.
T
(a) (b
P

Work

(c)

Fig. 2.42
I. Curves obtained on PV graph are called isotherms and
they are hyperbolic in nature.
 Slope of isothermal curve: By differentiating
PV= constant. We get
dP P
PdV + VdP = 0 PdV=-VdP dV
dP P
tan =
dV
ii. Area between the isotherm and volume axis
the work done in represents
isothermal
If volume increases AW = process.
+ area under curve and 1
volume decreases AW =-area under curve
5. Specific heat: Specific heat of gas during
change is infinite. isothermal
As Csl
mAT mX0 (as AT = 0)
6. Isothermal
constant
elasticity: For isothermal process PV =
Differentiating both sides we get
PdV + VdP = 0
’ PdV = -VdP
dP Stress
’P=
= Ee
-dV/V Strain
.:. E, = P, i.e.,
At NTP, isothermal elasticity is equal topressure.
isothermal elasticity of gas atmospheric
pressure = 1.01x10 Nm?
7. Work done in isothermal
process:
W-[' Pav =|" -dV (as PV = u RT)

|W = uRTlog. :2.303uRT log1o

W= uRT log. P
2.303RT logo
P
8. First law of
thermodynamics in isothermal process:
AQ= AU+ AW but AU c AT
AU=0
(as AT = 0)
.:: Ag = AW,i.e., heat supplied in an
is used to do work against the external isothermal change
surrounding, or if
the work is done on the system, then equal amount of heat
energy willbe liberated by the system.
1C

Isobaric Process
undergoes a physical change
When a thermodynamic system
remains constant, the change is
Sucha way that its pressure
known as isobaric process.
process, Vand T change but P remains constant. Hence,
In this
Charles' law is obeved in this process.
1 Equation of state: From ideal gas equation, we get
PV= u RT
If pressure remains constant, then V T
V,/T =V,/T, = Constant

2 Indicator diagram: In Fig. 2.43, graph I represents isobaric

)
expansion, and graph II represents isobaric compression.
Slope of indicator diagram dPldy = 0.
f
t P
A I B
P,
ww

II
P, D C

Fig. 2.43
3 Specific heat: Specific heat of gas during isobaric process

c,-;+1]R
putolum, ea 4. Bulk modulus of
elasticity:
AP
K= =0 (as AP =0)
-AV/V

5. Work done in isobaric process:

V

AW= PdV = P dV = P[V, -V] (as P = Constant)

V

23 m .. AW =P(V, -V)= uR[T; - T]=uRAT iND

6. First law of thermodynamics in isobaricprocess:
=P
R
AU=uC,AT = (-1)-ATu and AW=uRAT

From the first law of thermodynamics, we get

AQ= AU+ AW
R
-AT+uRAT
(y-1)
= uRAT =uRAT Y
Y-1
|RAT
Y-1

AQ= uCpAT
Isochoricor Isometric Process
change
When athermodynamic process undergoes a physicalchange is
in such away that its volume remains constant, the
known as isochoric process.
this process P and T changes, but V = constant. Hence
In
Gay-Lussac's law is obeyed in this process.
PV
1. Equation of state: From ideal gas equation, we get
than P « Tor P,/T,
= uRT. If volume remains constant,
= P/T, =constant.
 D
P
A
IIN
C
B+ Sta

V
Fig. 2.44 Pro

2.44, graphs Iand II represent

diagram: In Fig. isometric
2. Indicatordecrease in pressure at volumne V, and
isometric
volume V, respectively, and slope
increase in pressure at
= o0.
of indicator diagram dPldV isochoric process
Specificheat: Specific heat of gas during
3. Th
C, = (fI2)R.
modulus of elasticity: K= API-DV/V= APO = 0,
4. Bullk
5. Work done in isobaricprocess: W =PAV = P[V, VI
(as V == 0). tem
W= 0
pre
6. From the first law of thermodynamics in isochoric the
process: AQ = AU + AW= AU val1
(as AW= 0) the
R
AQ= uC,AT -AT= P,V, PV, Sol
Y-1 Y-1
and
Note: Isometric expansion of the
is given by P, = P, (1+ Ypt) where ypressure of a gas
coeficient of volume expansion. (1/273) per °C
 D
P
A
IIA

B
le
Sta

V V

Fig. 2.44 Pr
and II represent
2. Indicator diagram: In Fig. 2.44, graphs I isometric
isometricdecrease in pressure at volume V, and
slope
increase in pressure at volume V, respectively, and
of indicator diagram dPldV = 0,
3. Specific heat: Specific heat of gas during isochoric process
C,=(fI2)R.
4. Bulkmodulus of elasticity: K= API(-DV/V) = API0 = 0,
5. Work done in isobaric process: W= PAV=P[V,- VJ
(as V = 0). t
W= 0

6. From the first law of thermodynamics in isochoric

process: AQ= AU+ AW= AU
(as AW =0)

|AQ=
R
uC,ATAT PV-PV |
Y-1 Y-1

Note: Isometric expansion of the pressure of a gas

is given by P= P,(I+Y) where Y (I273) per C
coeticient of volume expansion,
Adiabatic Process
When a thermodynamic system undergoes a change in such a
way that no exchange of heat takes place between it and the
surroundings, the process is known as adiabatic process.
In this process P, Vand Tchange, but AQ = 0.
 1. Essential conditions for adiabatic process:

Insulating
walls
Gas

Fig. 2.48
There should not be any exchange of heat between the
system and its surroundings. Allwalls of the container
and the piston must be perfectly insulating.
ii. The system should be compressed or allowed to expand
suddenly so that therce is no time for the exchange of
heat between the system and its surroundings.
Since, these two conditions are not fully realized in
practice, no process is perfectly adiabatic.
2. Examples of some adiabatic processes:
i. Sudden compression or expansion of a gas in a
container with perfectly non-conducting walls.
ii. Sudden bursting of the tube of bicycle tyre.
ii. Propagation of sound waves in air and other gases.
iv. Expansion of steam in the cylinder of steam engine.
3. First law of thermodynamics in adiabatic process:
AQ= AU+ AW
but for adiabatic process AQ =0 . AU +AW =0
If AW = positive, then AJ = negative so temperature
decreases, i.e., adiabatic expansion produces cooling.
If AW = negative, then AU = positive so temperature
increases, i.e., adiabatic compression produces heating.
4. Equation of state: As in case of adiabatic change, the first
law of thermodynamics reduces to
AU+ AW=0, i.e., dU +dW=0 (i)
But as for an ideaB gas
dU = åC,dT and dW = PdV
Equation (i) becomes
u C,dT t PdV = 0 (ii)
But for a gas as
PV= uRT, PdV + VdP = uRdT (ii)
So eliminating dT between Eqs. (ii) and (iiü), we
get
(PdV + VdP)
+ PdV=0
uR
or (PdV +VdP) R
+ PdV=0 as C, =
(y-1) (y-1)
or
YPdV + VaP =0, ie., Y-+ dP-=0
V P
which on integration gives
 7. 6.
ofie.. So know ie.. Differentiating
Adiabatic change
zero. is
Specific So, But diagram:
Indicator 5.
adiabatic Therefore, By and
two the i . i. change
isothermal wedifferentiating, Equation
ific ratio Slope Slope also SlopeCurve
elasticity: heat:
of and
elasticity of ofknow slope of
obtained
o YP=- both isothermal adiabatic (P) Constant
T TV = can (iv)
eats. tIsothermal
welasticity Eelasticity dPy C= Specific adiabatic
that of dV dP
lasticities -dV/V = also is y
dP
sides, For adiabatic =-Y we constant called log,
1s (mAT)
(mAT) slope on log(PV)=C ’
elasticity
Adiabatic
YP +
adiabatic get 2.Fig.49 curve: PV be V
E, Py we heat curve curve rewritten +
times
=P of
PyY-1 dPV graph equation log,
of StrainStressVdV get isothermal curve From constantPV
=
gases of
that =yP E, process +PVdV are
P
-(P/V)
aYPIV) as =
= =0 -=0 gas tan PV"called (as of C
is of E,
equal during curve
=-y(PIV). = P state
pressure PY =
constant.
adiabatic
to tan = (mRT/V))
= (as0) = =Y=>1 0 for
the constant. adiabatic P
but Cy LRT
=-PIV. adiabatic
ratio curve.
we (vi) (iv)
(v)
 nt. atic PIV. curve.
0) ) iabatic
(vi) (v) (iv)
atomic Monatomic
3 Y=75Diatomic Y=5/3 Typegasof 10.
9. 9.
Special Thus,the =the freely.
of dU (dW0). thermal opened, So
connected thermal
a twowhich Free
Work
the Now vessel
= gas
T
constant
PTÀ-A
P = gas, 0, vessels
Constant
PV' =cases and expansion: no W=|PaV=J done
final accordingif insulating The the insulation
are (PV-PV,1
Poc Poc Poc Poc Pa then process gas bythe work uR
and U, rigid placed (Y-1) (1-y) in
of and a
(v) (v%) (vS) rushes
stopcock. other is (1--] adiabatic
1 1 and
adiabatic initial U,be K
1 is
and (asbestos-covered). performed Free
to system in
the the hence adiabatic into is JuR(T,
Constant
TV=
energies U,- a
expansion K
T(y-1)P= process: initial (dQ evacuated.
theWhen system (y-1) (as
Pocr2 Ts/Poc2 first process:
Po
T noevacuated on P,
are U, = as
or
- (as
= and law external 0). suddenly T)/ V,
0 the which by = K=
equal The
is
final ofMoreover, vessels One adiabaticthe uRT,
work vessel PV
in
thermodynamics
internal o system. is dv=
Toc Toc Toc T free the twvessel and =
oc is are and enclosed PV
expansion. (as performed the stopcockvessels process PV,
(v) (V) energies placed Consider (-Y+l)
1 1 1 U, walls expands contains = =PV
= with uRT) K
U) of in is are in
 i. 11.
temperature
Final adiabatic
process.
Work
done represents
adiabatically Comparison
Compression: i.
pressure
Final represents slope
Expansion: adiabatic of
temperatureFinal doneprocess.adiabatically from
pressureFinal Work the
of graph
the process, between
isothermalgraph
from If P‘
it
P^ is If
a clear
whercas volume gas a
volume
it gas isothermal
is 2.Fig.50 that
process,clear is
expands compressed
graph
graph 2
Tisothermal P ladiabatic
adiabatic T V,
1
Tsdiabatic > isothermal
0sothermal>P W. that V, WiWadi
sothermal
abaie to
V to then
1 V, and
isothermal
represents (Fig.
whereasgraph V, >lisothermal > > adiabatic
isothermally Pi isothermally
isothermal 2.50) fromthe
adiabatic adiabatic W then
1
(Fig. represents process:
graph from
slope
2.51) and
the and
2
 or i.
From required
ATis by which A
Specific For Or Polytropic
0. Process
in process
Work
the one adiabatic r
CAT #
first
AU+Q=
W to
heat: mole done lor PV
C=C, increase
= law
,AT If of process, in Y. =
of W=
polytropicconstant
1) C gas a
thermodynamics
R - CATQ= the is W=-. (r-1) -nR
(r-1) RAT n nRAT here
vR
temperature the =1(r-1)
molar (r-1) -RAT -T)[T,
(r-"T] also
process: is
-1) (y called
R
the
specific work polytropic
) of As
R one done we
mole heat, have
is
calculatedprocess,
ofthen
a
heat
gas
in