## Reversible vs irreversible [ENDORSED]

isochoric/isometric: $\Delta V = 0$
isothermal: $\Delta T = 0$
isobaric: $\Delta P = 0$

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Abbey Kerscher 3O
Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2016 3:00 am

### Reversible vs irreversible

What does irreversible expansion mean?

Diana_OToole_1F
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 3:00 am

### Re: Reversible vs irreversible  [ENDORSED]

Pages 32-33 of the Course Reader say:

Systems are often approximated as reversible: calculate maximum work
wmax = wrev (>wirr)

All real processes are irreversible. Biochemical systems often use highly irreversible reactions to speed up the process. But less efficient (less useful work done) wrev>wirr

Reversible Pathway: Temperature (Constant), Volume increases, Pressure decreases
w = -nRT ln (V2/V1)
more work done

Irreversible Pathway: Temperature changes along pathway, Work done against constant external Pressure
w = -P delta V
less work done

BridgetJ_2J
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:56 pm

### Re: Reversible vs irreversible

Irreversible expansion refers to a process (or reaction) that occurs in large, finite steps that would make reversing it statistically improbable- meaning that the initial state of both the system and its surroundings cannot be restored once the final state has been reached. An example would be like if you were to spill a glass of milk onto to a table. The chance of the milk reversing and going back into the glass once it has been spilled (without human interference) is highly unlikely- making it an irreversible process.

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