Isothermal Reversible vs Isothermal Irreversible

[Vincenzo Gueli 2D]

Is it true that isothermal, reversible expansions always do more work than isothermal, irreversible expansions? If so, why is this the case?

[Saiya Shah 3F]

This is true since reversible expansions do not cause as much change in entropy, so they lose less energy to their surroundings in comparison to irreversible expansions.

[Alex Denman 2G]

Yes this is true. This is because the pressure is nearly exactly the same during the reversible process, so say 1.999999 atm outside and 2.0000000 atm inside and this process continues. Since pressure and work are related, pushing against a higher pressure does more work. For the irreversible process it's a lower value outside the system and a constant. So for example 2 atm inside and 1 atm outside, and the work calculation is just calculated by this 1 atm value.